ARCANE Staff

The 'Advanced Research into Crystallographic Anisotropy & Nucleation Effects in Single Crystals' (ARCANE) is a collaborative UKRI-funded Prosperity Partnership, between the University of Birmingham, University of Oxford, University of Greenwich and Rolls-Royce plc.

The ARCANE project brings together some of the world-leading academic and industrial experts in the fields of investment casting, solidification, characterisation, mechanical testing and modelling of single crystal (SX) nickel-base superalloys. The project integrates the requirement for development of fundamental materials science understanding of the behaviour of novel and industrially applied SX alloys, with advanced industrial manufacturing methods for aero-engine components. For the University of Birmingham's contribution to the ARCANE project, staff from the High Temperature Research Centre (HTRC) and from the School of Metallurgy and Materials work across a number of technical research areas.

Academics at the partner universities:

Dr Andrew Kao

Associate Professor in Applied Mathematics

Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich

Andrew's research focuses on numerical modelling of the effects of magnetic fields and fluid flow on the evolution of alloy microstructures. He leads the development of the ThermoElectric Solidification Algorithm (TESA), a parallelised code that solves the coupled problem of microstructure solidification, electromagnetism and fluid flow.

Email: A.Kao@greenwich.ac.uk

Professor Roger Reed

Professor of Materials and Solid Mechanics

Department of Materials, University of Oxford

Roger's research considers the materials science and engineering of structural materials, particularly those for high temperature application. His interests include; the mechanical behaviour and processing of nickel-base superalloy materials and components made from them, and microstructural instabilities in these systems as a consequence of phase transformations and damage accumulation, during service and during processing.

Email: roger.reed@materials.ox.ac.uk

Industrial Partner Researchers:

Dr Owen Draper

Global Process Owner for Single Crystal (SX) casting

Rolls-Royce plc

Owen is Rolls-Royce plc's Global process owner for Single Crystal (SX) casting. Owen gained his PhD in Investment Casting technologies from the University of Birmingham, in 1997.