Women of ERCOFTAC

Interview with Prof Daniela Anna Misul

Full Professor, Dipartimento Energia, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

• What is your academic background?

I graduated cum laude in October 1997 in Mechanical Engineering at Politecnico di Torino and contextually won a grant to carry out activities related to the fluid-dynamics in gasoline and natural gas multivalve engines. I was hence selected in 1998 to cover a position for Assistant Researcher at the Energy Department of Politecnico di Torino and moved to Associate Professor in 2019. I am currently Full Professor at the Energy Department of Politecnico di Torino, and I recently funded the TEP@Polito (Turbomachinery for Energy and Propulsion) group.

• What is your research specialism?

The advanced concepts considered in my research activity aim at anticipating future demands for a more efficient energy conversion for power generation as well as for a smarter mobility in terms of energy efficiency, vehicle emissions, fuel flexibility and flexible vehicle applications. As far as power generation and aviation are concerned, my research activities mainly aim at developing breakthrough technologies and innovative solutions to increase efficiency and minimize GHG emissions:

• Pressure Gain Combustion
• Component Interaction Analysis
• Film Cooling and Internal Cooling
• Vane/Blade Disk Cavity Purge Flows
• Hydrogen Blend Combustion (with Flashback Prevention)
• Low-Pressure Turbine Aerodynamics
• Gearbox Lubrication Analysis
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Design Optimization with Machine Learning
• Uncertainty Quantification and Robust Design
• Lifetime extension of mature frames for power generation

• What projects are you working on currently?

I am currently responsible for the Research Unit ‘Dipartimento Energia’ (DENERG) of Politecnico di Torino within the project NEUMANN (Novel Energy and propUlsion systeMs for Air dominance) - European Defence Fund 2021. The project aims at addressing propulsion and energy systems technologies required for a highly efficient powerplant, able to deliver at the same time increased electrical power generation and increased thrust-to-weight ratio, which are necessary to cope with the mission requirements and operational needs of the next generation of fighter aircraft.

I am also Principal investigator of the Research Unit ‘Dipartimento Energia’ (DENERG) of Politecnico di Torino within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) H2POWRD (Harnessing Hydrogen’s POtential With Rotating Detonation) - HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01. The project seeks to harness hydrogen's potential with rotating detonation combustion (RDC) integrated with a gas turbine (RDGT). Rotating detonation is a paradigm breaking technology that revolutionizes the thermodynamic process to be significantly more efficient. This efficiency leap also introduces new challenges in the form of unsteady, transonic flow at the turbine inlet and higher heat transfer. Building on insights of a previous ITN (INSPIRE), which underscored the potential benefits of RDC, H2POWRD focuses on efficiently harnessing the unsteady outflow from the combustion of H2 in an RDGT.

• Was there a woman who inspired you to get into your field?

Unfortunately, not many women were working in my field when I approached the academic career and did not get the change to look up to a role model.

• What advice would you give to young women wanting to get into STEM?

There is still a disparity in STEM between women and males, but I would advise young women to keep struggling for their dreams and to be determined in pursuing their objectives and goals… it is worth the while!

• What are the benefits of being a member of ERCOFTAC?

ERCOFTAC allows researcher to gather together and share their results of their research and activities, thus enhancing a collaborative environment and hence boosting the advancement in the field.