31: Superalloys in Jet Engines (ft. Dr. Alessandro Mottura)

Humankind has been using metals for thousands of years, using complex compositions and alloys to tailor tools for various applications. Back then we were able to do a lot without a proper understanding of materials, and we can now see a future where A.I. will help us develop new alloys with specific properties just by using simulations.  Before we introduce today’s guest, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science! Today’s guest is Dr. Alessandro Mottura, a Professor at the University of Birmingham focusing on doing simulation at the atomic scale to better understand superalloys. In this episode, he discusses the composition and properties of superalloys In this conversation, we discuss the following topics: What makes an alloy a superalloy How each additive affects properties The development process of a new alloy Superalloys used in jet engines Can alloys be 3D-printed? Also, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers! Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode! Join our Discord community! You can meet other passionate materials scientists and engineers from around the world, discuss the latest breakthroughs in MSE, share materials-related memes, and get career advice from experts in the field. For shorter segments and full video podcasts, subscribe to our channel on YouTube. For bloopers, audiograms, and interesting materials science articles, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Feel free to message us on our social media platforms if you have any feedback or recommendations for future episodes, or email us directly at [email protected]. Finally, reach out to David Yeh and Punith Upadhya on LinkedIn if you'd like to chat about the latest breakthroughs in MSE! Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.