Programme Achievements and Legacy

The final meeting of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) for the Transpiration Cooling Grant was held in September 2022, marking the conclusion of a major EPSRC-funded research programme.

The programme delivered exceptional, internationally leading outcomes across both hypersonics and turbine cooling. Through an integrated effort spanning modelling, materials, experimental methods, diagnostics and manufacturing, the consortium significantly strengthened UK capability in both research areas and delivered a breadth and depth of results rarely achieved within a single grant.

EPSRC funding was instrumental in enabling this success, particularly through the establishment and commissioning of major new experimental facilities. In hypersonics, the programme supported the growth of activity from a small team into a large, internationally visible research group, enabling multiple new research strands and addressing industry-driven challenges with high impact. In turbine cooling, the funding similarly underpinned new facilities, advanced manufacturing capability and experimental infrastructure, allowing sustained, iterative research across thermal analysis, materials and component design.

A defining achievement of the programme was the parallel growth in both research capacity and research scope. In turbine cooling, this culminated in a robust end-to-end knowledge base and a practical design and analysis toolkit capable of supporting the design and trial of prototype transpiration-cooled turbine components. The cooling performance demonstrated has clear potential to improve engine efficiency and reduce specific fuel consumption, representing a significant step towards industrial application.

Alongside the strategic role of EPSRC, the success of the programme reflects the energy, leadership and determination of the consortium, which made highly effective use of the funding to integrate disciplines and institutions and maximise impact. This approach has been validated by follow-on funding and renewed industrial engagement, including international awards, demonstrating how EPSRC investment was translated into sustained momentum and long-term capability growth.

Reflecting on the programme, Prof Simon Weeks, Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee, commented:

“It has been a privilege to chair the panel for a programme of this ambition and quality. The determination and commitment shown by the consortium have been exceptional, and it has been inspiring to witness genuinely groundbreaking work emerging from UK aerospace academia, underpinned by strong and meaningful links with industry.”

Prof Peter Ireland added:

“We are deeply grateful to EPSRC for believing in the vision of this programme and for providing the vital funding that made this unique research opportunity possible. I would also like to thank Simon Weeks and the Independent Advisory Committee for their guidance and insight throughout the programme. Above all, the success of this work rests with an exceptional group of young researchers and students whose creativity, energy and dedication sat at the very heart of everything we achieved.”

Kenneth Young of Rolls-Royce commented on the industrial perspective:

“This publicly funded programme created an immense opportunity to establish the foundations for research at higher technology readiness levels. Without strong academic effort, industrial R&D can become constrained and less ambitious. We therefore very much welcomed the opportunity to support the programme through the IAC, engaging from an industrial standpoint and helping to guide work that has clear potential for future translation.”

Overall, the Transpiration Cooling Grant leaves a lasting legacy in facilities, expertise and international standing, and stands as a strong example of how ambitious public funding, constructive external guidance and a highly committed research community can together deliver enduring, world-leading outcomes.