Instrumentation of battery modules for smart energy storage (CU led)
Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – Three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 27 May 2023 (international), 31 August 2023 (UK)
Interview dates: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: September 2023
To find out more about the project, please contact Dr Joe Fleming
Introduction
This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
The successful applicant will spend the 1st year at Coventry University and the following year at Deakin University and then the final 1.5 years at Coventry University
The supervision team will be drawn from the two Universities.
Project details
Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being deployed for high-power, safety-critical applications in fields such as aerospace, spaceflight, automotive and stationery. The voltage and power specifications of such applications require hundreds or even thousands of individual cells to be combined in series and parallel to form a battery pack. It is then the role of the battery management system (BMS) to monitor the condition of these cells and ensure they remain within safe operating limits. In automotive battery systems, to minimise cost and complexity, it is typical for only a fraction of the cells in the battery pack to be actively monitored by the BMS. This creates potential safety and reliability issues and requires that relatively conservative limits are imposed on the overall system to ensure safe operation. This is unacceptable in high-power, safety-critical applications and thus alternative approaches to battery management are required. Meanwhile, developments in power electronics and instrumentation are creating interesting opportunities for integration of BMS functionality into battery cells themselves. The expected outcome is to implement local BMS, sensing and communication at cell level within a battery pack, with the intention to fully integrate the circuit into a cell during manufacturing. The smart cells will then be built into a module as a demonstrator.
Funding
Full tuition fees, bursary (£18,622 p/a) and additional allowances.
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Candidate Specification
Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme.
This includes;
- Applicants should have graduated within the top 15% of their undergraduate cohort. This might include a high 2:1 in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark (80% for Australian graduates) in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average (80% for Australian graduates).
- A Masters degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Merit level. In addition, the mark for the Masters dissertation (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 80%. Please note that where a candidate has 70-79% and can provide evidence of research experience to meet equivalency to the minimum first-class honours equivalent (80%+) additional evidence can be submitted and may include independently peer-reviewed publications, research-related awards or prizes and/or professional reports.
- Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study.
For an overview of each University’s entry requirements please visit:
https://www.deakin.edu.au/research/become-a-research-student/research-degree-entry-pathways
Please note that it is essential that applicants confirm that they are able to physically locate to both Coventry University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia).
Additional requirements
- A degree in Electronics/ Communications Engineering
- Knowledge of energy storage
How to apply
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus an up to 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
All candidates must apply to both Universities.
To find out more about the project, please contact Dr Joe Fleming.
Apply to Coventry University Apply to Deakin University
