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Prof W-C Wang
Prof EA Patterson
Applications accepted all year round
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Project aim, objectives and outline:
A four-year PhD project is proposed on the topic of the quantitative validation of computational mechanics models of thermoelectric coolers (TECs). Thermoelectric coolers are based on the Peltier effect and commonly employ n- and p-type bismuth telluride pellets arranged in pairs and bonded to ceramic plates with a copper tabs to act as electric connectors. When a current is passed across the pairs a temperature difference is established between them that can be used to cool small components. Although this creates a cooling device with no moving parts, cracks develop in the devices due the mismatch in the thermal coefficient of expansion. Prior work at NTHU [1-3], using electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and digital image correlation (DIC) has shown that warpage occurs during heating of the devices and has been confirmed by computational modelling. In parallel, research at Liverpool has led to the development of quantitative comparison methodologies based on image decomposition [4] that allow data-rich strain fields, obtained from techniques such as DIC and ESPI, to be employed for the validation and updating of computational solid mechanics models [5] and in the analysis of flaws. In this project, these areas of expertise will be combined to allow quantitative validation of the numerical models of the TECs to be validated in the spatial, temporal and thermal domains. Validation in multiple dimensions, i.e. strains with location, time and temperature has not be performed previously using data-rich fields from experiment and will allow new standards for substantiation of numerical models to be established. Subsequently, the experimental and numerical data will be employed to study the fracture mechanics mechanisms [6] governing the failure of the TECs in order to develop more durable designs. TECs have applications in a wide range of devices including consumer electronics and the aerospace and so it is expected the research will involve some interaction with industry.
Expected Pattern of Study:
It is expected the student will spend equal periods of time at NTHU and UoL, will be a UK citizen with a good MSc and MEng degree in engineering, physics or an associated field. The student will spend an initial period in UoL mastering the techniques of strain decomposition before moving to NTHU to perform numerical and experimental analysis of prototype TECs. The analysis of data and refinement of comparison techniques will be performed in UoL towards the end of the project.
Facilities to be used at NTHU and UoL:
EPSI and DIC instrumentation at NTHU together with loading rigs for TECs. Strain decomposition algorithms and validation procedures at UoL.
A four-year PhD project is proposed on the topic of the quantitative validation of computational mechanics models of thermoelectric coolers (TECs). Thermoelectric coolers are based on the Peltier effect and commonly employ n- and p-type bismuth telluride pellets arranged in pairs and bonded to ceramic plates with a copper tabs to act as electric connectors. When a current is passed across the pairs a temperature difference is established between them that can be used to cool small components. Although this creates a cooling device with no moving parts, cracks develop in the devices due the mismatch in the thermal coefficient of expansion. Prior work at NTHU [1-3], using electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and digital image correlation (DIC) has shown that warpage occurs during heating of the devices and has been confirmed by computational modelling. In parallel, research at Liverpool has led to the development of quantitative comparison methodologies based on image decomposition [4] that allow data-rich strain fields, obtained from techniques such as DIC and ESPI, to be employed for the validation and updating of computational solid mechanics models [5] and in the analysis of flaws. In this project, these areas of expertise will be combined to allow quantitative validation of the numerical models of the TECs to be validated in the spatial, temporal and thermal domains. Validation in multiple dimensions, i.e. strains with location, time and temperature has not be performed previously using data-rich fields from experiment and will allow new standards for substantiation of numerical models to be established. Subsequently, the experimental and numerical data will be employed to study the fracture mechanics mechanisms [6] governing the failure of the TECs in order to develop more durable designs. TECs have applications in a wide range of devices including consumer electronics and the aerospace and so it is expected the research will involve some interaction with industry.
Expected Pattern of Study:
It is expected the student will spend equal periods of time at NTHU and UoL, will be a UK citizen with a good MSc and MEng degree in engineering, physics or an associated field. The student will spend an initial period in UoL mastering the techniques of strain decomposition before moving to NTHU to perform numerical and experimental analysis of prototype TECs. The analysis of data and refinement of comparison techniques will be performed in UoL towards the end of the project.
Facilities to be used at NTHU and UoL:
EPSI and DIC instrumentation at NTHU together with loading rigs for TECs. Strain decomposition algorithms and validation procedures at UoL.
Funding Notes
This project is a part of a 4-year dual PhD programme between National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and University of Liverpool. Students start in either institution, after passing a ‘qualifying examination’ and must spend at least 12 months in each institution. When away from the ‘home’ institution they will receive a stipend of 10,000 TWD. There are no tuition fees for students starting at UoL and for students starting at NTHU no tuition fees will be charged while in Liverpool. UK citizens will receive a standard EPSRC stipend while in UK. Applications can be made on-line to either institution.
References
[1] Wang, W. C. and Chang, Y. L., 2011, Experimental Investigation of Thermal Deformation in Thermoelectric Coolers, Journal of the European Association for Experimental Mechanics, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp.232-237.
[2] Wang, W. C. and Wu, T. Y., 2011, Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Thermal Deformation in Thermoelectric Coolers, Proceedings of BSSM/SEM International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics: Integrating Simulation and Experimentation for Validation (ISEV), Paper No. 107, 6 pages, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, September 7-9.
[2] Wang, W. C. and Wu, T. Y., 2011, Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Thermal Deformation in Thermoelectric Coolers, Proceedings of BSSM/SEM International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics: Integrating Simulation and Experimentation for Validation (ISEV), Paper No. 107, 6 pages, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, September 7-9.
Project supervisors
Prof W-C Wang's profile is coming soon
View other supervisors at University of LiverpoolCareer overview
Professor Eann Patterson has been at the University of Liverpool since 2011, serving as the A.A. Griffith Chair of Structural Materials and Mechanics and as Dean of the School of Engineering since 2019. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Society for Experimental Mechanics, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Prior to his current role, Professor Patterson was a member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University, where he held the position of Chair from 2004 to 2009. He also served as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield from 2001 to 2004. Additionally, he was a founding member and Director of the Composite Vehicle Research Centre at Michigan State University. Professor Patterson has received notable accolades, including the Hsue-Shen Tsien Professorship of Engineering Science from the Institute of Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2014 and the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award in 2011.
Research interests
Professor Eann Patterson''s research focuses on structural materials and mechanics, with a particular emphasis on composite materials and their applications in engineering. He has been involved in the development of advanced materials and their behaviour under various loading conditions. His interests include the mechanics of composite materials, structural integrity, and the use of experimental mechanics to understand material performance. Professor Patterson has also contributed to the field through his leadership in the Composite Vehicle Research Centre and has received notable awards such as the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
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