Multi-particle impact wear in high-speed aeroengines

Award Overview: Purdue University received a $590,504.80 Project Grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) for research on Multi-Particle Impact Wear in High-Speed Aeroengines. The award was obligated on October 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of May 31, 2029. This research effort is conducted in Indiana and addresses materials science and engineering challenges relevant to naval propulsion systems and aircraft engine durability.

Research and Deliverables: The project investigates multi-particle impact wear mechanisms in high-speed aeroengines, a critical technical problem affecting engine component longevity and operational performance. Purdue University, as the prime grantee, is supported by a sub-award to Rolls-Royce Corporation (awarded March 24, 2026), which provides specialized industrial expertise and technical collaboration in aerospace propulsion. The research combines fundamental scientific inquiry with applied naval relevance, supported through ONR's competitive peer-review process that evaluated overall scientific merit, naval mission applicability, institutional capabilities, investigator qualifications, and cost realism. Deliverables are expected to advance understanding of wear phenomena in advanced turbine engines, with potential applications to Navy and Marine Corps aircraft propulsion systems including platforms such as the V-22 Osprey and other high-performance military aircraft.