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Progressing in
a concerted effort
MTU Aero Engines’ conviction is that research needs wiggle room to thrive. For innovative propulsion systems are
the outcome of complex development processes that originate in curiosity and ideas, springing from a visionary force
that blossoms best when unfettered by commercial interests. Concepts holding promise are then pursued to production
maturity in a second step. In that sense, MTU sees itself as a partner of science, sponsoring innovation potential
also beyond the confines of the company turf.
Aircraft engine construction has undergone
tremendous change in the past 100 years.
While the Wright Brothers in 1903 still had
only a 12-horsepower four-cylinder engine to
power their first flight, the Airbus A380
mega-transport today commands the enormous
takeoff thrust of four times 76,500
pounds. Intervening between these two landmarks
are many decades of research and
development in which engineers and scientists
from across the globe worked incessantly
to produce ever better engines. Their
drive and commitment today is needed more
than ever. Because in view of the accelerated
growth of commercial aviation and dwindling
natural resources, engine solutions are
needed that resolutely lower fuel consumption
and achieve ever higher efficiencies.
By Andreas Park
They will become a reality, however, only
when the world’s best experts from every
discipline pool their knowledge and methodically
channel it into innovative propulsion
solutions true to the motto ‘jointly towards
progress’, a maxim MTU champions through
cooperative activities with research institutions
and universities worldwide. They generate
valuable contacts with the independent
research and development community. Dr.
Jörg Sieber, who supervises innovation management
at MTU, says that the resulting
know-how network actually is more of a
staged model. “We enter into science partnerships
in three different stages of intensity.
We begin with a regular technology dialog
with the professional public, then transition
to discussions with our expert circles on select
advanced technologies and finally end
up with long-term technology partnerships.”
MTU cooperates with the IWS in Dresden to perfect
the laser powder cladding technique.
Turbine blade with a vapor-deposited zirconium oxide
coating as a heat barrier. This is where MTU is closely
collaborating with the DLR research establishment.
For MTU, interdisciplinary collaboration has
become a priority, considering that the development
of innovative engines demands
know-how of enormous breadth and depth.
Expertise is required from the most diverse
areas, such as aerodynamics, thermodynamics,
sensor systems and materials research.
This is why MTU brings together specialists
from industry, science and research on individual
technology topics. The ‘compressor
expert circle’ initiated in partnership with the
DLR German Aerospace Center, for instance,
hooks up some 30 scientists of diverse backgrounds.
“In a sense, we’re seeing ourselves
also as some type of moderator pulling the
disciplines together and so unleashing new
stimulus,” explains Sieber.
MTU’s part in all this is to focus on the implementation
of new technologies. Its prime con-
The Clean demonstrator went through its first
test ordeal at the Stuttgart University’s altitude
test facility, the only one of its kind in Germany.
cern is to take innovative products to production
maturity. In contrast, at universities
and research institutes, research proceeds
entirely free of commercial targets. This freedom
is an essential requirement, for it provides
scope for new ideas. MTU therefore
funds select research projects, but makes no
attempt to steer them. “This creates a winwin
situation,” says Prof. Dr. Klaus Broichhausen,
chairman of the Bauhaus Luftfahrt
and former chief consultant, technology programs
at MTU. “The scientists are afforded
entirely new options, and the company benefits
from forthcoming results.” MTU therefore
funds universities and research institutes
to the tune of three million euros annually.
Add to that more than two million euros
a year spent on concrete project sponsorships.
These moneys are funding some 80
institutes and 150 research projects globally.
MTU and the DLR in Cologne are jointly working on
an active noise control program. Going through trials
here are frequency superposition systems.
Additionally, MTU experts also accept lectureships
at universities, support seminars
with their know-how and assist with degree
and doctoral theses. They further enable
excursions to be made into industrial reality.
This proximity to academe is crucial for an
innovation-driven company like MTU. “To develop
globally leading propulsion technologies,
a company also needs the best engineers
to be had globally,” says Sieber. MTU
is winning this talent for itself while the
young people are still in their studies, and so
discriminately builds the company’s knowledge
lead.
For additional information, contact
Dr. Jörg Sieber
+49 89 1489-2513
Further information is available on the
Internet at: www.mtu.de/report
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