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DSTO - AIP Physics Scholarships

Having completed a Physics BSc (with first class Honours) at King's College, London University, John went on to complete his PhD which focused on "New Techniques in X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy" (1986). For his PhD, John developed and invented new devices for X-ray astronomy. A version of a position-sensitive X-ray detector he invented is currently used in the Japanese Yohkoh spacecraft to study the solar X-ray spectrum.

Dr John Thornton

John spent six years at  the University of Surrey as a Research Fellow before travelling to Australia to join DSTO as a Senior Research Scientist.

"Initially, my role at DSTO was to provide advice and expertise to the professionals in the X-ray and surface analysis areas, and then to develop a research program in surface engineering.  At first, titanium nitride and sol-gel alumina coatings were investigated, then, in response to interest from the RAAF and colleagues in propulsion, the program focused on thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Expertise was developed and there has been a long and useful dialogue with the RAAF, and Australian Industry.  The retro-fitting of TBCs is now an important part in the RAAF’s effort to extend the life of components in the TF-30 engine.  TBCs may also be retro-fitted in the T-56 engine.  The application of electron-beam physical vapour deposited TBCs to turbine blades and vanes is also being studied.

"On the research front, I determined that the currently popular graded-density and ceria stabilised TBCs have serious durability problems.  Consequently, I recommended that the RAAF use the proven duplex yttria stabilised TBCs.  I also discovered that reducing atmospheres accelerate the deterioration of TBCs.  Currently, I am organising a TTCP operating assignment on thermal barrier coatings.  The calibre of my research work is also recognised outside defence.  For example, the Australian Synchrotron Research Program (ASRP) funds my studies of TBCs using synchrotron radiation.  ASRP funding is awarded after a peer review of the many competing proposals.  All my proposals have been supported.  I serve on the instrument advisory panel for the new residual stress instrument on the Australian replacement research reactor, and on the powder diffraction instrument on the Australian Synchrotron.

"Physics is clearly needed in some areas of my work, in particular, in developing X-ray or neutron imaging for the non-destructive analysis of aircraft, and  X-ray and neutron diffraction for the mapping strain, texture and phase in aircraft materials. However, I have found my physics training to be useful in almost all aspects of my work at DSTO in both materials and propulsion systems.  Physics underpins engineering and the physical sciences and training in physics also gives one a good grounding in how to do science, how to work out how things work and why things don't work."