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Rolls-Royce reckons the aerospace industry has so far overlooked a simple and
cheap way to boost the power of jet engines (GB 2355288). The ideal turbine
blade is shaped like an aerofoil, with a rounded leading edge and a very thin
trailing edge. In practice, to stop the heat of the engine eroding the steel
blades, the trailing edge also has to be slightly rounded. But this upsets the
gas flow, so Rolls-Royce has tipped the trailing edge with silicon carbide
fibres that trail like birds’ feathers. This stabilises the gas flow, and
prevents vortices occurring. The fibres slot into the edge of the blade, so they
can be replaced easily as they wear out.