Batista · Project

Cheaper, Faster Blade Vibration Testing That Replaces Fragile Strain Gauges in Jet Engines

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Every spinning blade in a jet engine vibrates, and engineers need to measure those vibrations to make sure the blade won't crack from fatigue. Right now they glue tiny strain gauges onto blades — think of sticking a thermometer inside an oven that runs at thousands of degrees. The gauges break constantly and cost a fortune to install. Batista validated a contactless alternative called blade tip timing, which measures vibration by tracking how each blade tip passes a sensor — like clocking runners at a finish line — and proved it works reliably enough to certify real compressor blades for flight.

By the numbers

up to 50%

Shorter gas turbine development programs compared to a decade ago

EUR 606,140

EU contribution for validation strategy development

Partners across 2 countries (UK, Czech Republic)

Total project deliverables including 3 demo deliverables

Aviation regulators (EASA and FAA) previously shown BTT validation evidence

The business problem

What needed solving

Gas turbine and jet engine manufacturers need to measure blade vibrations to prevent fatigue failures, but current strain gauge methods are expensive, slow to install, and frequently fail in extreme operating conditions. With development programs now up to 50% shorter than a decade ago and engines running at higher speeds and temperatures, the industry needs a faster, cheaper, and more reliable measurement alternative.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a complete validation strategy for blade tip timing (BTT) technology in aero compressors. This included a full test campaign on a representative compressor stage — fitting and balancing a test rotor, executing the test schedule with expert instrumentation, and cross-validating BTT measurements against finite element models, strain gauges, and laser vibrometry.

Audience

Who needs this

Aero engine OEMs (Rolls-Royce, Safran, GE Aviation) needing faster blade certification methodsGas turbine manufacturers for power generation seeking cheaper vibration monitoringMRO providers performing engine overhaul blade inspectionsIndependent aerospace test facilities offering certification-ready measurement servicesTurbomachinery component suppliers validating blade designs before delivery

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace engine manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Aero engine OEMs and MRO providers

If you are an aero engine manufacturer dealing with expensive strain gauge instrumentation that fails frequently in high-temperature turbine environments — this project developed a validated blade tip timing system that has already produced certification-quality data accepted by both EASA and the FAA. Development programs today are up to 50% shorter than a decade ago, and this contactless method cuts instrumentation lead time and cost while surviving the harsh conditions that destroy strain gauges.

Power generation

enterprise

Target: Industrial gas turbine operators and service companies

If you are a power generation company running industrial gas turbines and spending heavily on blade health monitoring during maintenance overhauls — this project validated a contactless measurement method on a representative compressor stage under controlled conditions. The technique eliminates the need for fragile strain gauges, reducing downtime for instrumentation and the risk of measurement failure during critical tests.

Aerospace testing and certification

mid-size

Target: Independent test facilities and certification bodies

If you are a test facility or certification consultancy that needs to validate rotating component designs for airworthiness — this project delivered a complete validation strategy for blade tip timing in aero compressors, cross-checked against FE models, strain gauges, and laser vibrometry. The consortium includes partners who previously provided BTT validation evidence to both EASA and the FAA, giving this method regulatory credibility.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does blade tip timing cost compared to traditional strain gauges?

The project objective states that strain gauges are expensive to apply and have high failure rates in gas turbine environments, and that BTT addresses both cost and timescale issues. Specific per-unit pricing is not disclosed in the project data, but the EU invested EUR 606,140 across 3 partners over 2 years to produce the validation strategy.

Can this work at industrial scale on production engines?

The validation was performed on a representative compressor stage under controlled facility conditions, not on a production engine in service. However, consortium members have previously provided BTT validation evidence to both EASA and the FAA for specific configurations, indicating the technology has been applied to real aerospace hardware before this project.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

The project was funded under Clean Sky 2 (CS2-RIA) and coordinated by EMTD Limited, a UK-based measurement company. IP arrangements would follow the Clean Sky 2 joint undertaking rules. Companies interested in licensing should contact the coordinator through SciTransfer for specifics.

Has this been accepted by aviation regulators?

Yes. The project objective explicitly states that consortium participants have provided BTT validation evidence to both EASA and the FAA on multiple occasions for specific configurations. This project aimed to create a complete, globally agreed validation strategy after the previous ISA 107.1 standardization effort disbanded.

How long would it take to integrate BTT into our testing workflow?

The project ran from September 2019 to September 2021 — 2 years to develop and execute the full validation strategy. Based on available project data, the demo deliverables show a sequence of facility preparation, test execution with expert support, and facility restoration, suggesting integration requires careful planning but follows a structured process.

What measurement methods was BTT validated against?

The project validated BTT results against three independent references: a finite element (FE) model, traditional strain gauges, and laser vibrometer displacement measurements (LVD). This triple cross-validation on a representative compressor stage provides strong confidence in the measurement accuracy.

Consortium

Who built it

The Batista consortium is a compact, focused team of 3 partners across 2 countries (UK and Czech Republic), blending industry expertise with academic rigor: 1 industrial partner (EMTD Limited, the coordinator and a UK measurement specialist), 1 university, and 1 research organization. While there are no SMEs in the consortium, EMTD is a specialized measurement company with direct aerospace industry experience — they led the earlier ISA 107.1 BTT standardization effort in the US. The EUR 606,140 budget is modest, reflecting a targeted validation project rather than a large-scale R&D program. For a business looking at this technology, the key signal is that these are practitioners who have already taken BTT data to both EASA and the FAA, not purely academic researchers.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

EMTD Limited (UK) — specialist measurement company with aerospace BTT expertise. Contact through SciTransfer for introduction.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore blade tip timing for your turbine testing? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the Batista team and help evaluate fit for your specific application.

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