About the Project
In 2018, UK government released its strategy in a report entitled «The road to zero» presenting new measures to clean up road transport and lead the world in the developing, manufacturing and using zero emission road vehicles. In June 2019, an Act of Parliament required that, by 2050, the country's net emissions of greenhouse gases be reduced by 100% relative to 1990 levels. Transport; being the second largest contributor of GHG (after electricity and heat production), developing the use of hydrogen in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) is a promising avenue to meet that requirement.
FCEV is an electric vehicle that uses a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in combination with a small battery to power its on-board electric motor. The PEMFC converts the chemical energy of hydrogen fuel into electricity, heat, and water without any carbon emission. However, factors such as durability and cost still remain as the major barriers to fuel cell (FC) commercialization. More fundamental research is then needed to overcome these barriers. Issues such as new material development as well as water and heat management remain the focus of fuel-cell performance improvement and therefore cost reduction.
This project aims to develop a low cost, high energy density, and high energy conversion efficiency PEMFC stack for the FCEV, based on novel electrolyte and catalyst materials of a single cell.
The candidate will investigate and identify alternative electrolyte material with high ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability. The candidate will characterize and select novel catalysts with lower cost and reduction in Pt-loading. This project will need modelling to investigate the thermofluids dynamics and degradation mechanisms of a single cell and PEMFC stack and an experimental study of a small lab-scale prototype to be conducted for validation of the stack heat and mass transfer behaviour, stability, and durability. Potential benefits for FCEV, like cost reduction, enhance durability and environmental impact will be evaluated through techno-economic-environmental analysis.
The successful candidate will be working in a multidisciplinary environment including material science, heat transfer, modelling and system integration evaluation. We are looking for a passionate candidate with a mechanical/design/chemical engineering background, self-motivated and self-directed with teamwork spirit and communication skills.
The principal supervisor for this project is Dr. Lu Xing.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF21/EE/MCE/XINGLu) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
Funding Notes
The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students, and includes a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates (for 2020/21, this is £15,285 pa) and full tuition fees.
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