Dr Sam Rogers is a Research Associate in the Department of Materials, having first joined the department as an undergraduate student in 2013. His research focuses on alloys for aerospace and nuclear applications. In this new blog post, he shares more about his research, why it’s important and how this research could make an impact.
What inspired you to become a Materials Scientist?
I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work, and then problem-solving off the back of that, and Materials Science is all about that! Whilst the length scale we look at is typically very small, they can have profound effects. For example, if we add some chromium and nickel to steel, we make stainless steel, which won’t rust. These are the kinds of problems I’ve always enjoyed figuring out and which I now enjoy working on!
How would you explain your research to someone outside the field?
The fundamental question which my work is based is ‘how can I make the best alloy (metallic mixture) for a specific application?’ Typically I research materials for aerospace and nuclear applications, but the process is the same for any application, which makes it very versatile, and it’s nice a simple: it’s a bit like baking a cake! Alloy development is figuring out what ingredients (elements) we need for the right flavour (whatever properties we’re interested in!), whilst process development is figuring out the instructions we need to make our cake (alloy!). Another way to think about it is the modern equivalent to blacksmithing!
Why did you study this area and why is it important?
When I began studying materials science, I most enjoyed the modules related to metals and alloys, and I love the fact that simple concepts can be brought together in interesting and new ways to make new materials. As we continue to come up with new ideas for technology and machines, we need materials which will be suitable for these applications, in addition to improving the existing materials we use. In addition, we want to be able to recycle more materials than we have in the past, but first we need to figure out the technology and processes that will enable us to do this.
How could this research make an impact?
The outcome of my present work is focused on further improving safety in nuclear systems by reducing our use of cobalt alloys. Given the increased reliance on nuclear power in Europe and beyond, it’s important that we do all we can to ensure safety in and around nuclear systems under any circumstance.
Another portion of my work is to improve the materials we use in jet engines, primarily to improve component lifetimes. By improving component lifetimes, we need to manufacture less of a given component, which can help reduce energy consumption. When scaled up to all flights used, this can make a big saving in total!
Who do you collaborate with at Imperial and beyond?
My chief industrial collaborators are Rolls-Royce, and I also work with various universities in the UK and across Australia.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I particularly enjoy the problem-solving part of my job, coming up with solutions to problems that others haven’t yet been able to solve!
What do you enjoy outside of research?
Outside of research I really enjoy music – both playing and listening to it, and also playing video games! I’m also really involved in my church and love getting stuck in there!
What’s something your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?
I can ride a unicycle!