Modern aircraft engines are powered by one of the most complex mechanical machines ever designed. These engines are designed to be efficient, low noise and last for 20’000 hours of operation. The performance of these machines has been increasing steadily over the last 50 years, stretching the limits of aeroodynamics, heat transfer and cooling, structural design, material technology, control and diagnostics, and sensors and actuators. 
In the present talk, Professor Abhari will provide an overview of the technologies affecting the present and future developments of modern aircraft engines. By “stepping through” the engine, from the fan to the exhaust nozzle, he will describe the multi-disciplinary challenges facing the designers of such devices. In addition, he will describe specific technological barriers slowing progress in each specific component. These technological barriers would be put in the context of the lack of understanding of the underlying physics of the problem, often related to aerodynamics, heat transfer or material behavior of different components.