This proposal fits within the programmatic long - term development direction for turbine engine seals of the Seal Team of the Mechanical Component Branch . The intended work concerns the further development of the Finger Seal concept which is a compliant passive - adaptive seal meant to mitigate ( and eventually replace ) the shortcomings of the entire class of rigid seals used today ( labyrinth , honeycomb , mechanical face seals ) in the gas turbines and compressors ,