Prompt / Model

Base GPT-2 (355M) Response

Fine-tuned GPT-2 Response

Expert Analysis

Prompt 1: "Explain the primary advantage of using carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) over aluminum alloy in aircraft structural components."

"Carbon fiber materials are often used in aircraft because they are strong and light. They can be better than metals like aluminum in some cases, offering good strength-to-weight ratio which is important for saving fuel." (Generic, lacks specific technical terms and quantitative context.)

"The primary advantage of Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) over aluminum alloys, such as AA 7075, is its superior specific strength and specific stiffness. CFRP composites offer a strength-to-weight ratio up to 5 times higher and a stiffness-to-weight ratio up to 3 times higher than aluminum. This translates directly into significant weight reduction for fuselage skins and wing structures, leading to lower fuel consumption and increased payload capacity. Additionally, CFRP exhibits superior fatigue resistance and corrosion immunity, reducing maintenance costs over the aircraft's lifecycle." (Accurate, uses precise terminology, provides comparative metrics and direct operational benefits.)

The base model provides a correct but superficial overview. The fine-tuned model demonstrates domain mastery by citing specific material grades (AA 7075), quantitative comparisons, key mechanical properties (specific stiffness), and linking them to operational outcomes (fuel consumption, maintenance).

Prompt 2: "What is a scramjet engine and what is its main operational limitation?"

"A scramjet is a type of jet engine that is very fast. It works at high speeds and is used for hypersonic flight. A limitation is that it needs to be going very fast to start working properly." (Correct in essence but imprecise and misses critical technical nuance.)

"A scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) is an air-breathing engine designed for hypersonic flight (Mach > 5). Unlike turbojets or ramjets, it sustains supersonic combustion of fuel in an airstream that remains supersonic throughout the engine. Its primary advantage is the absence of rotating parts, enabling higher speed potential. Key Operational Limitation: It requires an initial high velocity (typically Mach 4-5) to compress incoming air sufficiently for stable combustion. This necessitates a separate booster stage (e.g., rocket), making integrated vehicle design complex. Additionally, managing extreme thermal loads and ensuring fuel-air mixing and ignition within milliseconds in a supersonic flow present significant engineering challenges." (Technically precise, defines operational envelope, explains the core limitation in detail, and lists secondary challenges.)

The fine-tuned response accurately defines the supersonic combustion principle, specifies the ignition threshold, and correctly identifies the need for a booster as the main systems-level limitation, which the base model only hints at vaguely.