Development of a gas turbine engine as a range extender

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham has a worldwide reputation in developing microengines. We are currently looking for a student to a radical microturbine engine as a range extender for electric cars.

The student will need to learn the micro/technology and microengine techniques developed in the group and apply them to improve the overall performance of the micro turbine.

The PhD research project will involve the following areas of the micro gas turbine engine:
• Rotor system design and balancing;
• Air bearing design, fabrication and tests;
• Engine assembly and tests;
• Publication of research results.

The student is expected have a mechanical engineering background and least a 2.1 degree or equivalent. Research and publication experiences are highly desirable.