PhD Studentship: Loss Modelling and Manufacturing of Magnetic Materials for Advanced Electric Motor

Reference

ENG1498

Closing Date

Thursday, 30th September 2021

Department

Engineering

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) to work within the PEMC research group in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham.   

Project Background

Electric motor and drive systems consume over 60% of electricity produced in UK. The advent and rapid commercialization of electric vehicles and more electric aircraft are expected to further increase the fraction of power handled by the electric machines. Efficient and power dense electric machines are required to reduce the initial investment and running cost of an electric vehicle. Soft magnetic materials are the building blocks of these electric machines. Iron loss produced due to the cyclic magnetization of magnetic materials account for 30% to 40% of the total power loss incurred in an electric machine.

Modern electric machines are subjected to extreme thermal and mechanical stress, and excited by a non-sinusoidal voltage from a power electronic converter.  Iron loss is a complex function of temperature, mechanical stress, type of excitation and manufacturing. Therefore, a meticulous modelling of iron loss by considering all the aforementioned variables is essential to accurately estimate the iron loss produced in magnetic materials. This will in turn aid the designer in developing energy efficient electric machines. 

This project will use analytical modelling and electromagnetic finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate how iron loss can be accurately modelled. Validation will be via experimental data provided by in-house test facilities. JMAG and ANSYS will be the commercial FEA packages used. 

The successful PhD student will be expected to work with postdoctoral researchers and other postgraduate researchers in a multi-disciplinary team of Electrical and Electronic, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineers. This project is supported industrially by NGHLS and HEFMAG (looking into future of magnetic materials, their performance and manufacturing for the electrical motor drive applications).

The selected candidate would work in one of a kind test facility across UK/Europe to understand electrical behaviour of magnetic materials and their manufacturing considerations. 

Summary: UK/EU students - Tuition Fees paid, and full Stipend at the RCUK rate, which is £15,609 per annum for 2021/22. The current funding covers home students 100% – other applicants would need 50% match (personal or secondary funding) to be eligible. 

Entry Requirements

Starting December 2021, we require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in Physics, Electrical and Electronic, Power, or Electro-Mechanical Engineering or a relevant discipline, preferably at master’s level, or an equivalent overseas degree (in exceptional circumstances a 2:1 degree can be considered). 

PhD Supervisors – Dr Gaurang Vakil, Dr Ramkumar Ramanathan, Dr Zhirong Liao and Prof. Chris Gerada 

Contact:[email protected]