Alexander Barke

Who are you and what is your research topic?
My name is Alexander Barke and I’m a research assistant at the Institute of Automotive Management and Industrial Production at the TU Braunschweig. My research focuses on the environmental, economic, and social sustainability assessment of novel propulsion systems in the aviation sector.

 Which research question are you working on?
In detail, we model the different propulsion concepts along the entire life cycle and assess them concerning environmental, economic, and social criteria. This is intended to derive insights that support decision-making with regard to specific concepts in early stages of aircraft development.

What makes this topic special/exciting for you?
The issue of sustainability plays an important role in the future direction of air transport. Flightpath 2050, for example, sets a clear goal of reducing emissions from air traffic. At the same time, economic and social issues are becoming increasingly relevant and must be taken into account in the development of new types of aircraft engines. My research thus addresses an interface where both, the technical specifications of the various propulsion concepts and their environmental impact, are relevant.

Why is your topic relevant for future aviation?
Against the sector’s background of the ambitious emission reduction targets and the long development and operating times of aircraft, the development of new propulsion concepts must be started as soon as possible. The analysis of sustainability and the subsequent assessment will pave the way for the development of more sustainable aircraft propulsion systems.

What is special about participating in the interdisciplinary research network SE²A?
The cooperation of scientists from different disciplines and universities makes it possible to work on complex issues from different perspectives. To get insight into a wide range of disciplines and research approaches helps to improve the own research.