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New additions to our research family: Meet Hemanth, Mateo, and Konstantinos

Published Oct 27, 2023

We are happy to extend a warm welcome to three outstanding PhD students who have recently joined our research family at HPT. Hemanth, Mateo, and Konstantinos, coming from diverse corners of the world, have embarked on their academic journey here in Sweden, enriching our vibrant multicultural environment.

Meet Hemanth: Hemanth's research, under the guidance of main supervisor Jens Fridh  and co-supervisors Mauricio Gutierrez Salas  and Robert Tomkowski, is venturing into the fascinating world of aerospace research. Specifically, he is exploring the impact of surface roughness on additively manufactured components in space turbines. The research is structured into two distinct phases, with each phase dedicated to the study of specific aspects. These phases involve a combination of experimental analysis in the wind tunnel within the HPT lab  and numerical simulations to derive comprehensive conclusions. During the first phase, the primary objective is to gain a fundamental understanding of how surface roughness affects additively manufactured test pieces within the wind tunnel. Following this, there are plans to progress to a higher TRL (Technology Readiness Level) testing phase, which will be carried out in the test turbine located in the HPT lab . This advanced testing aims to provide insights into operational performance and facilitate component-level testing.

His work is part of the STAMPE project in collaboration with GKN Aerospace AB, contributing significantly to the Turbomachinery and Propulsion Research group  within our division.

Introducing Mateo: Mateo, under the mentorship of Rafael Guedez  and Silvia Trevisan , is dedicated to advancing sustainable heat upgrade solutions for industries. His research focuses on integrating renewable and waste technologies to reduce industrial carbon emissions. The project's objective is to meticulously explore and identify the most effective configurations for implementing waste and renewable heat upgrade systems across diverse industrial scenarios. This involves a holistic consideration of their unique processes, geographical locations, and energy market dynamics.

Mateo’s work is a crucial step towards decarbonizing industrial processes and promoting environmental sustainability. It is carried out within the Energy and Industrial Process Systems Engineering Research group  as a part of the SUSHEAT project .

Meet Konstantinos: Also under the guidance of Rafael Guedez  and Silvia Trevisan , Konstantinos is exploring the intricate world of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technologies. He will undertake a comprehensive investigation of various TES designs, employing both computational and experimental approaches. The research will involve the identification and in-depth study of suitable materials for TES, as well as the development of a prototype TES unit. Numerical modeling will play a pivotal role in the research, facilitating optimization and comparative analyses.

Furthermore, the project will explore potential opportunities for integrating these TES systems within the industrial and power generation sectors. The project is carried out within the Thermal Technologies for Decarbonization Research group .

Apart from their great academic achievements, Hemanth, Mateo, and Konstantinos bring with them a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Their presence not only enriches our academic community but also enhances the cultural diversity of our division. We are proud to have them as valuable members of our research team.

From the left to the right: Konstantinos, Mateo, and Hemanth
Konstantinos Apostolopoulos Kalkavouras
Konstantinos Apostolopoulos Kalkavouras
doctoral student
Mateo Sanclemente Lozano
Mateo Sanclemente Lozano
doctoral student
Hemanth Venkatesan
Hemanth Venkatesan
doctoral student