Dr O Curnick
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a (fully-funded) PhD studentship. This project encompasses battery diagnostics, battery management systems and vehicle network communication, industrial process integration and quality control.
The number of automotive battery packs reaching end of life is expected to increase from thousands to tens of thousands per annum within the next 5 years. These batteries typically retain up to 80% of their original capacity and therefore remain useful for second-life applications in portable and stationary energy storage, where power and energy density requirements are less onerous than those for electric vehicles.
Used batteries require grading to determine their residual capacity and power delivery capability in order to assign them an appropriate value in the second-life market. At present these grading activities account for a significant portion of the cost of second-life batteries, which at $70-100 per kWh remains high. These costs must come down in order to compete with the decreasing costs of new cells. The development of high-throughput grading techniques is therefore critical to the commercial viability of second-life batteries.
The project aims to develop diagnostic techniques capable of characterising used automotive batteries with a focus on speed and accuracy, and then to deploy these techniques in an industrial setting with the industrial sponsor Autocraft Drivetrain Solutions.
Training and Development
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.
Student will have an opportunity to participate in daily research activities within the group gaining first-hand experience with state-of-the-art technology and build an international network of collaborations, both academic and commercial.
Entry criteria for applicants to PhD
• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS
the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a 3.5 years
• a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
• Willing to travel internationally for conferences and partner meetings
For further details see: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/making-an-application/
How to apply
To find out more about the project please contact:
Dr Oliver Curnick, at [Email Address Removed]
To apply online please visit: https://pgrplus.coventry.ac.uk/
All applications require full supporting documentation and a covering letter, including supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
Funding award: Bursary plus tuition fees (UK/EU)
Start date: September 2020
Duration of study: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Interview dates will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates.
Funding Notes
This is a fully funded PhD Studentship based at Coventry University and Autocraft Drivetrain Solutions. The funding includes both fees and stipend at UKRI level, as well as a consumables and a travel/conferences budget.
Continue with Facebook
