PhD Studentship in Advanced Litz Wire Modelling and Manufacturing for Ultra-High Speed Propulsion Motors

PhD Studentship: Advanced Litz Wire Modelling and Manufacturing for Ultra-High Speed Propulsion Motors

The Manufacturing Technology Centre UK, and the University of Nottingham

This project offers an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research with engineering teams of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and academics within the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute, University of Nottingham. The project will be supported by the state-of-the-art electric motor manufacturing platforms at both locations.

Project Description

The ambitious roadmaps of electrification in high-performance propulsion applications are pushing the boundary of electric motor speed, especially in motorsport and aviation sectors. Achieving ultra-high speed motor operation demands advanced winding solutions capable of handling elevated frequencies and corresponding AC losses. Litz wire, with its unique capability in AC loss mitigation, is pivotal for pushing motor’s efficiency and power density. Meanwhile, its design-stage modelling, encompassing power losses, thermal behaviour, and mechanical integrity, remains at early stage. Current practices are limited in capturing the layout complexity and manufacturing flexibility of Litz wire against its multi-physics performance variation.

With the ambition of addressing these challenges based on the MTC's world-class wire braiding machine, we are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to revolutionise Litz wire winding and accelerate advancements in high-speed propulsion technologies. The project will focus on developing modelling tools for high-fidelity predictions of Litz wire performance across multiple physics. This tool will account for wide range of layout construction options enabled by the MTC’s state-of-the-art programmable Litz wire manufacturing platform. The research will provide a robust framework for integrating this advanced winding manufacturing technology into next-generation ultra-high speed propulsion systems.

Funding

• A three-year fully funded studentship
• A generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees
• An additional £2,000 per annum for consumables and travel

Requirements

• The candidate should have a 1st or high 2:1 degree in electrical/mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related scientific disciplines.
• Skills in numerical tools and programming are desirable (MATLAB, python, C++ etc).
• Any experience or capabilities in engineering design or manufacturing methods would be advantageous.

Eligibility and Application

• Due to funding restrictions, the position is only available for UK home candidates.
• As sponsored by MTC, the successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks before starting the PhD.
• Start date: 1 October 2025 
• Closing date: 28 February 2025

For further information please email Professor Chris Gerada (University of Nottingham) and Dan Walton (MTC).

Facilities

The PEMC Institute is home to Driving the Electric Revolution Midlands Industrialisation Centre and the UK Electrification of Aerospace Propulsion Facilities, which have received over £20m of funding in the last three years. This 5000m2 institute with state-of-the-art facilities for research into electrification technologies, hosting 21 academics, 60 post-doctoral researchers and over 80 PhD students, will be made available for this project. The university actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. 

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers

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