Phase One of Project SECRET has been dedicated to understanding the physics of the flow within clearance gaps of rotating positive displacement machines. This will ultimately improve the efficiency, performance and reliability of oil free screw compressors. Over the past year, our team have worked tirelessly to setup the foundations for future success. To do this, we have opened state of the art laboratories to understand these physics and provide the data of validation of our high fidelity computational fluid dynamics. Both teams have worked seamlessly to demonstrate world leading measurement, modelling and experimental techniques. The work we have accomplished in the past twelve months now determines the direction of research we will undertake throughout the next four years. Having both teams involved in phase one, ensures the project delivers outcomes that are valuable to industry, fit for purpose and directly makes a real world impact by reducing energy consumption.