INNOVATION IN ENGINE TECHNOLOGIES TO MAKE FLYING GREEN

The rising necessity of air travel and the constant pressure on the aerospace industry to make flying more sustainable for the environment, is driving manufacturers to innovate and develop engines that address this concern

- AYUSHEE CHAUDHARY

CHANGE HAS CERTAINLY ARRIVED when it comes to the way we fly and further changes are already on high demand, in dire need and hence unavoidable. The aerospace industry has always remained under the radar to come up with new innovations. In addition to that, the drastic climate alterations being witnessed in the environment have put technological innovations that are also sustainable at the forefront of the industry.

Continuous attempts are about to come up with such creations, and one of the most significant innovations is being tried with jet engines while working on electric and hybrid propulsion. With better materials, more proficient shapes, improved coatings, etc. the engines are also being pursued to be lighter and stronger. Lighter engines further ensure that the aircraft structure can also be lighter since there is less weight to carry. Many big names in the industry are working on such electric and hybrid propulsion systems for aircraft, a few of which are already out in action. Some of these include:

ROLLS-ROYCE

Aspiring to set new benchmarks in efficiency, environmental performance and precision engineering, British multinational engineering company, Rolls-Royce is transforming flight. With its latest generation of engine, the Ultrafan, Rolls-Royce is aiming to take things a farther way. Enhanced with further technologies after Advance2 and Advance3, and innovative high-temperature materials, UltraFan features a new geared architecture (power gearbox introduced between the fan and intermediate pressure compressor) to ensure that the fan, compressors and turbines all continue to run at their optimum speed. This gearbox would also allow a much bigger fan, resulting in a more efficient engine.