This project aims to develop a streamlined, one-step method for producing and applying high entropy oxide (HEO) coatings using solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) technology. This approach will bridge the gap between HEOs' remarkable laboratory properties and their practical applications, such as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for gas turbine engines. HEOs are a new class of ceramics where multiple metals, in equiatomic proportions, are randomly arranged on cationic sites within an oxygen anion lattice. The high configurational entropy of these multi-cation systems ensures excellent phase stability and advantageous thermo-physical properties. Research on processing HEOs via thermal spray for TBCs is currently limited due to difficulties in synthesizing high-quality HEO particles in sufficient quantities. Traditional methods produce nanoparticles that require further processing, which can be labor-intensive and may introduce impurities that affect the HEO properties. The SPPS method overcomes these challenges by using metal salt solutions as feedstock, which react in situ within the plasma to form and subsequently deposit metal oxides directly onto the substrate. This method simplifies the process and allows for greater control over the coating's microstructure, enhancing its properties. The project will take place at University West, Sweden, where SPPS expertise and infrastructure are available. A secondment at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Republic, will provide advanced deposition and characterization facilities. Additionally, a non-academic placement at Treibacher Industries, Austria, will offer industry experience and resources for commercializing the project. The researcher will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, and acquire insights into both academic and industrial applications, significantly benefiting their future career prospects.

Thermography opens a new paradigm because shifts actual manual inspections like those of Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) into automated inspection and detection to avoid human errors. AUTHENTIC addresses the development and adoption of automated inductive active thermography to improve the probability of detection (POD) of surface defects generated or appearing in welded safety-critical engine components both for in-process control and for final inspection and quality acceptance. The high sensitivity of the technology enables the detection of cracks down to 200 μm. An improvement higher than 50% is expected on the detectable critical defect size, on POD basis. Automation will be implemented during the inspection process through an adequate robotic system and also during the defect detection, characterization and localization, thanks to the developed algorithms. Furthermore, a second sensory will be added to the main system in order to tackle geometrically complex cases where thermography might fail or give a partial result due to accessibility issues. The system developed will provide (i) faster inspections on full-scale components, (ii) elimination of human subjectivity from inspections, and (iii) healthier and cleaner working environment for technicians. The easier, faster and more accurate maintenance inspections will lead to safer aircrafts and to the extension of their lifetime contributing to a globally more innovative, sustainable and competitive EU aircraft industry. AUTHENTIC will cover from the complete definition of the NDT system based on process and inspection requirements to its implementation and validation through the inspection of a real component provided by GKN (topic leader). The achievements of project objectives will be supported by the multidisciplinary consortium formed by experts in thermography (LORTEK, ULEOEBEN and EDEVIS), simulation (ULEOBEN), automated inspection (EDEVIS), sensorics (HV) and welding metallurgy (LORTEK, HV).