Dr. Delgado Shares Turbo Lab’s Research Updates, Path for Texas A&M Grads

During our tour of Texas A&M’s Turbomachinery Laboratory, Dr. Adolfo Delgado, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, explained his lab’s latest research initiative and how it may impact component scalability industry wide. Delgado also shared his perspective on how the Turbo Lab benefits graduates and undergraduates via immersive education and hands-on experience.

TURBO: What research is the Delgado Lab currently working on?

Delgado: Right now, we are working on several initiatives. One of them is the development of oil-free bearings for MW-range machines. Currently gas bearings can be used in small machines and are commercially available; however, the technology is not scalable. For example, if you have a methane compressor, we’d like to have methane bearings lubricating or supporting that compressor.

TURBO: How does the Turbo Lab work for graduates? What’s next for them?

Delgado: The moment that a graduate or undergraduate student gets involved with the Turbo Lab, their journey in turbomachinery starts. At this point, they get immersed in classes, real experience at the Lab, and everything related to rotating equipment. After this, [students] will always seek jobs in the rotating equipment field, which can include OEMs and end users. At the end of the day, they will become the technical experts in the field of rotating equipment.

B roll video credit: Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications