PhD Student in High Performance Electrical Machines with Advanced Cooling Techniques

Supervisors: Chris Gerada, David Gerada, Zeyuan Xu, Fengyu Zhang

PhD Project Description:

Electrical machines are at the centre of future transportation electrification architectures, which are key technologies to achieve the 2050 zero carbon emissions target. Thermal management is critical and has been recognised by both academia and industry as a bottleneck element that restricts potential improvements in the performance of next-generation electrical machines.

This research will investigate the most advanced cooling techniques to improve the performance of electrical machines, including jet and spray cooling, based on CFD and lumped parameter thermal networks. Cryogenic fluids will also be considered, and analytical models will be used to evaluate the coolant system approaches for electric propulsion systems in future aircraft.

The project will be based in the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute. PEMC is internationally renowned and one of the largest in its field. Comprising nearly 30 academic staff, around 70 Research Fellows and other research staff, over 100 PhD students, 12 technicians, and 20 project management and administrative staff, PEMC delivers high-impact research, and industrial collaborations.

Candidate Requirements:

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and must possess or be on track to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) in Thermal or Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Proficiency in software such as Ansys, and Particleworks, as well as programming skills in MATLAB and Simulink, would be advantageous.

Please contact Dr Fengyu Zhang for further information.

Email: fengyu.zhang1@nottingham.ac.uk

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Funding is via an internal competition and is therefore only confirmed sometime after the admission application is approved.

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