Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of “Molecular understanding of near-surface thermal gradients in cooling fluids to improve battery lifetime and thermal management”, leading to the award of a PhD degree. It is a collaborative effort across three Departments at Imperial College (including Prof. Daniele Dini in Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Fernando Bresme in Chemistry, and Dr Billy Wu in the Dyson School of Design Engineering). To be eligible for support, applicants must be “UK Residents” as defined by the EPSRC. The studentship is for 3.5 years starting in October 2022 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £17,609. Funding is through the project InFUSE (Interface with the future: underpinning science to support the energy transition), funded by the EPSRC and Shell. Please check your suitability at the following here.
A trend in electric vehicles is to combine the coolant loop from the motor with that of the lubricant used in the transmission or gearbox. This simplifies the cooling system and reduces the number of fluids required. This saves weight, complexity, and cost. There is a strong need to create new dielectric coolants that have very low viscosity coupled with high thermal performance using improved chemistries to meet the new needs of the industry. These solutions must also evolve and consider the new discoveries made in the new energy materials space.
Understanding from a molecular viewpoint how the molecular composition of e-fluids, their additives/aggregates and affinity to surfaces, as well as adsorbed films, affect heat transfer and cooling for electric and hybrid powertrains and, consequently, battery thermal management, is key to be able to provide new disruptive solutions in this area. So far, no method is available to study the intrinsic link between surface/cooling fluids chemistry at the molecular level, topography heterogeneities and phase changes linked to heat exchanged across the interface. In some configurations, flow/shear gradients and two-phase nucleation physics, play a very important role and needs to be captured in small scale models.
This project aims to develop a rigorous methodology that considers the fundamental multiscale nature of the problem and uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at the atomic scale to determine the heat transport properties of the interface (also when couple to forced fluid flow in single- and two-phase cooling scenarios), which in turn will lead to a much-improved capability to predict the performance of e-fluids in different immersive cooling configurations/temperatures for the next generation of batteries. The results of the MD simulations will provide the necessary description in terms of boundary conditions and will guide the development of accurate coupled continuum models describing heat transfer in individual and multiple cells. The project can be extended to understanding the role that the best candidate cooling fluids can play in terms of their performance as a lubricant. Many other applications across InFUSE can benefit from the development of the proposed modelling framework.
You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in molecular modelling and battery technology is essential. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.
To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:
InFUSE: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/shell-diamond-prosperity-partnership/
https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/V038044/1
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/tribology/shell-utc/
For information on how to apply, go to:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/
For further details of the post contact Prof. Daniele Dini [Email Address Removed] +44 (0)20 75947242. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof. Dini. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.
Closing date: until post filled
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