PhD Studentship in the Development of Novel Lubricating Fluids for the Next Generation of Electric Vehicles

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the development of novel lubricating fluids for application in drivetrains of passenger electric vehicles (EVs), leading to the award of a PhD degree. This is a fully funded iCASE PhD studentship in collaboration with a major premium passenger vehicle manufacturer. The studentship covers a tax-free bursary of around £27,000 per annum, full tuition fees, and all project costs. The studentship is available to suitably qualified UK and overseas candidates. 

Effective lubrication of electric vehicle drive units presents unique challenges in terms of lubricant formulation. An EV drive unit lubricating fluid is required to provide adequate protection to gear and bearing surfaces under high torque – low speed operating conditions, while minimising churning losses at high speeds and low torques. The former requires a high viscosity fluid and the latter a low viscosity one. Furthermore, in most modern EVs the same fluid is used to lubricate the gearbox and to cool the e-motor, which imposes additional requirements on the EV fluid of having a high specific heat capacity and suitable copper compatibility. Although traditional hydro-carbon based oils may excel in some of these aspects, such as offering superior surface protection, they may no longer offer the optimum combination of properties to adequately satisfy this whole set of requirements.

This project aims to help develop new EV drivetrain fluids to address these competing requirements. In particular, we will explore how best to balance fluid’s cooling capability with its lubricating performance. To achieve this, the work will explore tribological performance of several unconventional lubricants, including for example, water-based ones. The key benefits of a water-based lubricant in EV drive train applications are its superior cooling performance, which can offer potential benefits in e-motor efficiency, and lower transmission losses at higher vehicle speeds. However, water-based fluids are generally poor lubricants compared to conventional oils; this is due to their inferior hydrodynamic film forming abilities, caused by low viscosity and low pressure-viscosity coefficient, as well as inferior tribofilm formation under low speeds. The project will explore the tribological behaviour of these and other candidate fluids, with the aim of producing practical guidance on potential fluid formulations for optimum efficiency and reliability of electric drive units in passenger EVs. 

The successful candidate will have regular opportunities to present their work at major international conferences in Europe, USA and Japan, and will be expected to publish the results of this research through a series of journal papers. They will also closely communicate with the industrial partners on this project, including visiting their research facilities.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a good degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a related subject, with at least a 2:1 equivalent degree classification. Your past studies and experiences will demonstrate a rigorous approach to research, disciplined work habits and an enquiring mind. Good written and oral communication skills are essential.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr A Kadiric, a.kadiric@imperial.ac.uk or Dr J Shore, joseph.shore15@imperial.ac.uk as a first step. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form available on Imperial’s website in order for their qualifications to be assessed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled