NASA research scientist to deliver McMahon Lecture at Alfred University

Kang Lee

Kang N. Lee, senior research scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center, will deliver the John F. McMahon Memorial Lecture at 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, in Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall, on the Alfred University campus.

Lee's lecture is titled "Next Generation Environmental Barrier Coatings for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites." Components made from silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix components (CMCs) are used in next generation gas turbines. Lee, a leader in the research of environmental barrier coatings for silicon carbide, will discuss the challenges in developing environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) that can protect the components in extreme high temperature environments.

"Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) have enabled the implementation of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in gas turbines by protecting CMCs from corrosive species. The first EBC-coated CMC component entered service in a commercial aero gas turbine in 2016. Many EBC challenges remain for continued success of CMC components in the next generation gas turbines," according to the abstract of Lee's lecture. "Major challenges include EBC reliability and temperature capability. EBC reliability is critical because EBCs are prime reliant coatings. This presentation will discuss recent advancements at NASA to address the EBC life and temperature capability challenges."

Lee earned his PhD in materials science at University of Minnesota in 1987 and worked as a postdoctoral research associate at University of Pennsylvania until 1990. He joined NASA Glenn Research Center in 1990 and pioneered the research on environmental barrier coatings for silicon carbide. He subsequently led the EBC research and development for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC), which resulted in the first and second generation EBCs in late 1990s - early 2000s. These EBCs laid the foundations for a series of CMC engine tests, culminating in the insertion of the first CMC component in the GE-CFM international LEAP-x engine in 2016.

He moved to Rolls-Royce in 2005 to start the EBC program. Under his leadership, Rolls-Royce EBC technology was elevated from 10 years behind other engine companies to a competitive level by the time he left the company in 2016. Since returning to NASA in 2016, he has led the next generation EBC research and development to improve the EBC life and temperature capability. He has authored 44 US patents, more than 80 papers in archival journals, and four invited book chapters. Notable awards include 2010 Rolls-Royce Sir Henry Royce Award, 2012 Class of Rolls-Royce Fellow, 2020 NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and 2024 Class of American Ceramic Society (ACerS) Fellow.

The John F. McMahon Memorial Lecture Award is presented annually to an outstanding ceramic engineer. The award was created by alumni in honor of the late John F. McMahon, an alumnus, a professor and finally, dean of what is now the Inamori School of Engineering.

The lecture will be followed by a luncheon in the Knight Club, Powell Campus Center, where there will be an announcement regarding the Space Materials Institute (SMI) at Alfred University. An SMI symposium and poster session will be held in the CREATE Center, first floor of the McMahon Engineering Building, followed by tours of the Inamori School of Engineering facilities and the Stull Observatory. Register here to attend the McMahon Lecture and associated activities.