Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Lab For more information, contact: Professor Karen A. Thole, Professor ([email protected]) Dr. Michael Barringer ([email protected] Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department The Pennsylvania State University The START Lab at the Pennsylvania State University was founded in 2011 through initial funding from Penn State; the Department of Energy – National Energy Technology Lab through Fossil Energy; and United Technologies Corporation – Pratt & Whitney. Although there is strong support from Pratt & Whitney, which is focused on propulsion, companies such as GE, Solar Turbines, and Siemens have provided input to Penn State through the Department of Energy effort to support the research needs of land based turbines. The focus of the lab includes the following: i) research novel methods for improving turbine cooling performance to improve turbine efficiencies thereby reducing CO2 emissions; ii) exploit the uses of advanced manufacturing methods for turbine components; and iii) provide a test bed for new instrumentation development for turbines. To perform the research aligned with the lab’s focus, the modern test turbine is operated in a continuous, steady mode. The test section includes a 1.5 stage turbine (vane/blade/vane) that operates at conditions representative of in‐use gas turbine engines. The START test turbine extensively pushes the boundaries of current experimental capabilities for gas turbine research. No other facility in the United States is openly available for gas turbine research that so closely replicates engine realistic rotational effects at relevant blade Mach and Reynolds numbers with continuous flow operation. The flow for the test turbine is provided by two large compressors which, together, provide 25 lb/s of air up to 70 psia. In progress is the installation of a natural gas combustor that will allow high temperatures to be achieved thereby allowing accurate turbine heat transfer measurements to be made. Current Federally Funded Projects in START 
Improving Turbine Efficiencies through Heat Transfer and Aerodynamic Research in the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START), Department of Energy – National Energy Technology Lab, 2015 – 2020, $5M.  Gas Turbine Fuel Reduction through Minimally Cooled Vanes and Blades, Federal Aviation Administration, CLEEN 2 (Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise) Program, 2015 – 2018, $2.5M.