Professor in Metallurgy, University of Cambridge

Howard's research covers two key themes.

The first theme centres on engines and turbines. The ongoing drive for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions from gas-turbine aeroengines continues to demand new materials capable of tolerating ever higher service temperatures. At present, the majority of these applications are served by nickel-base superalloys, but new materials are now also being considered as potential successors to these alloys in many applications. Howard works on the development of novel metallic and intermetallic materials for high temperature service using a combination of experimental and modelling approaches.

The second theme is more fundamental in nature. As the properties of alloys are inevitably controlled by their microstructural features, his research is also investigating the underlying phenomena that control phase equilibria and microstructure generation in metallurgical systems. This includes the use of neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering facilities in the UK and worldwide.

He is the Deputy Director at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre.