Quantifying Fire Size, Structural Failure, and Water Pollution from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

The successful PhD student will be co-supervised and work alongside our external partner Artec Fire.

This studentship is open to students worldwide *please see funding notes below. Note this PhD studentship may come with the offer of a part-time job at Artec Fire.

Renewable Energy is one of the fastest growing sectors addressing the most important challenges of our age.  Offshore renewables, energy distribution, and the environmental impacts of constructing and decommissioning the infrastructure are some one of the most pressing research themes faced by the UK and beyond.  The Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions Centre (N0MES) for Doctoral Training is creating the future specialist workforce needed by our industrial partners through PhD projects finding solutions to real-life industrial needs. N0MES offers 4-year PhD studentships for exceptional researchers. With the support of the University of Liverpool (UoL), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and over 30 maritime energy sector partners, N0MES postgraduate researchers will pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research

N0MES CDT Themes B & C: Energy Distribution & Environmental Impact

Fire can significantly impact net-zero energy generation and distribution in maritime and building environment, posing significant challenges to safety and environmental impact. An example is the fire risk imposed by Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used, prone to thermal runaway, and difficult to quantify water pollution to environment due to burnt chemicals during firefighting. This PhD project will focus on three main aspects:

1) Quantification of the fire size, i.e., heat release rate (HRR) from the Lithium-Ion battery fires, to further understand the HRR of an individual electric vehicle and several electric vehicles during fire spread in a compartmentalised environment

2) EV fires induced structural collapse

3) Quantification of water pollution during active firefighting of Lithium-Ion battery, relevant drainage measures for those wastewaters, and potential pollution.

Application Information

We want all our staff and students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, if you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a master’s degree or equivalent from a reputable university in a relevant subject OR a First in a relevant bachelor’s degree. 

Important Application Process

Please submit your application to the University of Liverpool here: https://app.askadmissions.co.uk/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=liv

Follow the guidance notes here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/

Candidates wishing to discuss the research project should contact the primary supervisor - see supervisor section at top of page.

Those wishing to discuss the application process should contact CDT Manager, Matt Fulton, at the University of Liverpool [[Email Address Removed]].