Sensor Coating Systems - SCS

Beyond Measurement Points: Seeing the Full Thermal Picture

Can a handful of temperature measurements tell you what is happening across an entire component?

Sometimes they can. But complex thermal environments don’t always behave conveniently between measurement points.

A blade, vane or combustor component may contain steep thermal gradients and highly localised hot spots. If those regions fall between sensors, an important part of the thermal picture can be missed.

This becomes particularly important when experimental measurements are used to validate CFD and thermal models.

SCS’s Thermal History Coatings provide high-density temperature data from thousands of locations across a component, typically at 1–2 mm spatial resolution.

Rather than comparing a simulation with a handful of isolated readings, engineers can examine the wider temperature distribution and identify localised hot spots or steep gradients that point measurements may miss.

The more complete the experimental picture, the more meaningful the validation can become.

Facing a thermal or heat-transfer challenge?

Talk to the SCS expert team about how high-resolution thermal mapping can provide the temperature data needed to support your testing, validation and development programmes.

🔸 [email protected]
🔸 +44 (0) 203 763 9456

Discover more at www.sensorcoatings.com

Towards On-Engine Surface Temperature Mapping Without Engine Disassembly

How can engineers access detailed surface temperature data from within complex engine assemblies - without costly disassembly?

SCS, in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London and King's College London, explored a novel approach combining Thermal History Coatings (THCs) with continuum robotics.

Presented this year at ASME Turbo Expo, technical paper GT2026-178089, explores the system which uses a flexible continuum robot equipped with a miniature camera to navigate confined engine geometries and enable post-operation, on-engine surface temperature mapping.

Experimental validation on a representative engine setup demonstrated the feasibility, accuracy, repeatability and robustness of the approach.

The technology could provide a new route to advanced thermal diagnostics in jet engines and power generation gas turbines, supporting accelerated engine design validation and improved maintenance strategies.

More further information visit www.sensorcoatings.com

If this is of interest contact the team at [email protected] or +44 (0) 203 7639 456.

When Aerospace’s Obsession with Validation Meets Innovation!

Aerospace is obsessed with validation, and for good reason.

When safety, reliability and performance are critical, new technologies need evidence behind them.

But that same obsession can create a challenge.

As new materials, cooling architectures and propulsion technologies push operating conditions further, established measurement techniques may not always provide the depth of experimental data engineers need.

The result? Validation can become a bottleneck to innovation.

The answer isn't less validation. It's better validation data.

High-resolution thermal mapping using Thermal History Coatings (THCs) gives engineers thousands of temperature measurements across complex components, including areas that can be difficult to instrument using conventional sensors.

This can help engineering teams validate thermal and CFD models, identify localised hot spots and thermal gradients, assess cooling performance and build stronger experimental evidence around new designs.

Because the faster engineers can build confidence in what is really happening thermally, the faster they can make informed design decisions.

Aerospace shouldn't lose its obsession with validation. The tools used to validate innovation need to keep evolving with it.

Find more information at www.sensorcoatings.com

Reach out to SCS at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 3763 9456

Next Generation of Engineers at SCS

Every year SCS takes on summer interns educating them on interesting technical processes coming out of SCS’s research and development.

SCS recently said goodbye to its summer intern Sam Speed, who spent his placement working within the Instrumentation & Automation team.

During his time at SCS, Sam put his university learning into practice, gaining hands-on experience in robotics, CAD design and programming.

Sam designed a robot work cell and a compact transport assembly in CAD. He was trained on developing measurement paths in a robot simulation software. Further he created a Python-based programme to visualise measurement data in real time. It was a busy and productive summer!

Instrumentation & Automation Lead Dr Solon Karagiannopoulos commented "We were delighted to have Sam from Cambridge University join our team for a summer internship. Sam took competent ownership of his robotic project. Sam delivered an excellent piece of work. We wish him every success for the future"

Thank you Sam for your great contribution this summer, and best of luck in the third year of your engineering degree at the University of Cambridge!

SCS Joins CEME Community Innovation Hub Launch

Sensor Coating Systems (SCS) has been invited to join CEME Business Campus for the official launch of the Community Innovation Hub (CIH) tomorrow, 15 September 2026.

The Hub, which forms part of the developing Thames Estuary Regional Innovation and Enterprise District (RIED) has been developed to unlock ideas, talent and entrepreneurial potential, providing an accessible gateway to innovation and business support for local people, aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage innovators.

The launch will bring together businesses, universities, local authorities, innovation organisations, funders and entrepreneurs from across the region – creating opportunities to connect, collaborate and strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem.

Carl Parsons and Sarah Turner will be representing SCS, with the team also hosting a stall at the event, showcasing its high-resolution thermal mapping technology. Come along and say hi!

Register to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/launch-of-the-ried-community-innovation-hub-tickets-1999018453005?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

If you’re in Power Generation, Aerospace, or Automotive industries and keen for more information about how SCS can help with temperature measurements for your components, contact one of the experts:

[email protected]

+44 (0) 203 7639 456

www.sensorcoatings.com

Helping Customers Unlock More Value from their Thermal Data

It's a comment SCS hears regularly from engineers when they first see the results produced by SCS’s Thermal Mapping service.

Designing the engines of the future requires a deep understanding of internal thermal processes. Temperature distributions influence cooling effectiveness, material behaviour, efficiency, emissions, and ultimately component life. Yet obtaining this information across an entire component operating in harsh environments has traditionally been extremely difficult.

SCS provides an efficient, cost-effective temperature sensing technology that replaces many of the limitations associated with traditional measurement methods.

The patented technology covers 150 → >1600°C (302 → >2912°F) with ±5–10°C (41–50°F) precision, making it suitable for a wide range of demanding engineering applications.

Rather than relying on a limited number of individual measurement points, SCS records thousands of temperature measurements across full complex surfaces without modifying the engine. This enables detailed thermal maps to be generated for components including turbine blades, nozzle guide vanes, combustion chambers, pistons, turbochargers and many other high-temperature parts.

For engineers, the value isn't simply more data - it's better data.

The result is a richer understanding of component thermal behaviour, giving engineering teams greater confidence when evaluating designs, comparing thermal models and making informed development decisions.

Sometimes, the biggest engineering breakthroughs begin with seeing the full thermal picture.

Interested?

Contact the experts:

🔸 [email protected]

🔸 +44 (0) 203 7639 456