PhD Studentship: Multi-physics Modelling and Optimisation of Coating for Structural Composite Battery PhD

Applications deadline:24/06/2022

Cranfield Campus start date: 01/10/2022

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK

Duration of Award if full time preferred*:  3 years

Supervisors

1st Supervisor: Marzio Grasso    2nd Supervisor: Glenn Leighton 

Sponsored by EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership and Polestar, this studentship will provide a bursary of £18,000 (tax free) plus fees for three years.

This PhD studentship is funded by EPSRC DTP and Polestar. The project will prove the hypothesis with practical demonstrators that it is possible to integrate electrodes and electrolyte into a structural carbon composite to manufacture a multifunctional material, with an energy density comparable to that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The project will combine advanced multiphysics modelling and micromechanical testing to deliver an optimisation tool for the design of electrodes.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have the highest volumetric (350 Wh/L) and specific energy density (180 Wh/kg). Despite the multiple advantages of LIBs compared to other type of batteries, they have issues due to:

• The weight penalty in Electric Vehicles (battery pack takes 30% of the total weight).
• The use of liquid electrolyte and the risk of leaking.
• The need to dissipate the heat produced by the electrochemical reactions that can cause thermal runaway leading to explosions.

An alternative that negates these issues and offers comparable/improved power and maintenance needs are multi-functional material batteries. These are materials that can be engineered to have high stiffness and strength and are also able to store energy. 

The objectives of this project are:

• Consolidate the understanding of solid-state electrolyte and manufacturing of structural batteries.
• Validate a multiphysics model of the deposition process.
• Validate representative volume elements to describe fibres and polymer interactions.
• Electrical and Mechanical numerical models of the structural battery.
• Manufacture and validate a structural battery demonstrator.

Polestar, a design-focused electric performance car brand, harnessing refined performance and cutting-edge technology. will host the student for a total period of three months. At the start of the project the student will also visit the company and attend a seminar at the industrial partner to be made aware of the technologies currently adopted in design and manufacturing of vehicles and batteries.

This project will provide the necessary tools to perform a reliable and robust design of electrodes in structural batteries.

The student will have the opportunity to attend internal training at Cranfield University as well as external opportunity as well as present the results of the project to conferences.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit candidate with strong background in structures, materials and composites and experience in material testing, numerical simulation and damage mechanics in composites would be a desirable.

Funding  

Salary of £18,000 per year, for 3 years, plus budget for consumable and travel. Applicants must be classed as a home student and must be either a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or have settled status, or have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements) or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

How to apply

For further information please contact:
Name: Dr Marzio Grasso
Email: [email protected]

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form .

https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/research/phd/satm-multi-physics-modelling-and-optimisation-of-coating-for-structural-composite-battery-phd/?utm_channel=&utm_source=warwickuniversity&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=SATM_Tran_AK_PhD_SATM283_jobs_May22