Turbomachinery Aeromechanical University Training at KTH

Energy and propulsion are much-needed systems in the world for most modern human activities and social development for a sustainable society. Turbomachines produce more than 90% of all electricity in the world, drive the majority of aircraft and are used extensively as compressors, pumps, etc. in many modern applications (for example. refrigerators and ventilators).

Aeromechanics is one of the main limitations for more efficient, lighter, cheaper and reliable turbomachines, be jet engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, wind turbines or hydro turbines, as well as various kinds of compressors. The programme aims to educate students with high skills to face the challenges within aeromechanics. The programme is led by a coordinator team at KTH. The coordinator team reports back to a steering committee composed of representatives from all parties involved in the programme, both from academia as well as industry.

The programme is highly integrated, first of all regarding student and teacher mobility for certain common lectures, but also related to the extended use of remote teaching by the specialist teachers at all four universities, in conjunction with “face-to-face” and “virtual” interactive workshops and project courses. The programme offers a unique, modern and highly interactive learning material which enhances the student learning process. This, together with the “remote learning” aspects, will also allow for a substantial potential for already active industrial persons to participate in the programme as part of the life-long learning inside their respective companies. Given the nature of the subject of aeromechanics, multidisciplinary skills are fostered.

The programme offers three tracks related to three mobility options. Students begin their first year at KTH and study the second year at one of the three programme tracks connected to three different universities:

• Université de Liège, Belgium (ULiège)
• The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (AUTH)
• Duke University, USA

The tracks at Université de Liège and AUTH result in a joint degree, and the track at Duke results in a double degree from KTH and Duke. Participation cost varies between tracks. The track offered at KTH and Université de Liège will open for application for studies starting in 2021. The tracks involving Duke University and AUTH will not open for application for studies starting in 2021.

Topics covered

Turbomachines, Aerodynamics, Aeromechanics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Mechanical Design, Vibrations, Structural Dynamics, Materials, and Measurement Techniques.

Sustainable development

Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Turbomachinery Aeromechanical University Training are:

• 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
• 13 Climate Action

In the course of the programme, students will learn about how sustainable development is related to turbomachinery technology and what future role the technology will have in achieving a more sustainable society. Students will acquire both a system perspective and unique, specific expertise on aeromechanical issues in turbomachinery, both of which are fundamental aspects of innovation and the development of innovative solutions. Understanding the physics behind the aeromechanical phenomenon enables more efficient aircraft and maritime propulsion systems and thus leads to lower emissions and less climate impact. Students will also learn about the challenges engineers will face in a rapidly changing society and what impact this has on the development of infrastructure, industry and society in general.

Sustainable development

Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Turbomachinery Aeromechanical University Training are:

• 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
• 13 Climate Action

In the course of the programme, students will learn about how sustainable development is related to turbomachinery technology and what future role the technology will have in achieving a more sustainable society. Students will acquire both a system perspective and unique, specific expertise on aeromechanical issues in turbomachinery, both of which are fundamental aspects of innovation and the development of innovative solutions. Understanding the physics behind the aeromechanical phenomenon enables more efficient aircraft and maritime propulsion systems and thus leads to lower emissions and less climate impact. Students will also learn about the challenges engineers will face in a rapidly changing society and what impact this has on the development of infrastructure, industry and society in general.

The programme offers the students a worldwide unique education at a high academic level, involving researchers/teachers at three European and one US top university in the area and prepares the students for direct industrial engagement. Furthermore, it paves the way for continued doctoral studies in this field.

Graduates from the THRUST programme are spread all over the world working in large companies like Siemens, GE Aviation, GKN Aerospace, SpaceX, Numeca, Scania, Rolls-Royce, Ansaldo Energia, Safran Aero Engines, Safran Aero Boosters, Honda Aircraft Company and UTC Aerospace Systems.

More than 30 per cent of our graduates choose to continue with their PhD studies at different universities and institutes that are all well renowned in the field, like Imperial College, University of Oxford, Duke University, University of Liège, Technical University of Berlin, University of Stuttgart, Ghent University, University of Virginia and KTH. Many of those doctoral students have already made significant achievements in the area of turbomachinery aeromechanics and as such, they have contributed to further improvement in understanding complex aeromechanical phenomena occurring in modern turbomachines.

After graduation

Turbomachinery Design Engineer, Researcher (in both academia and industry), Development Engineer, Test Engineer, Software Developer, Business Analyst, and Project Manager.