Thermal Energy Harvesters for Heat Conversion in Data Centres

Thermal Energy Harvesters for Heat Conversion in Data Centres

This project addresses the use of thermoelectric devices to recover part of the energy dissipated by CPUs and GPUs, targeting primarily those used in data centres. Of particular interest are edge data centres, i.e., data centres located close to the users they serve, which are now emerging as a key enabler for the Internet of Things.

Data centres are increasingly consuming large amount of power, currently estimated to be responsible for 1% of global electricity consumption, with their forecasted annual energy consumption increasing to 35 TWh by 2050 in the UK alone. It is clear that the ability to recover even a small fraction of this energy will have significant environmental benefits.

The goal of this PhD is the fabrication of a functional thermoelectric energy harvester. You will develop a manufacturing process within the Department of Engineering cleanroom and laboratories, using advanced processing techniques. The overall design will have a low carbon footprint, and it will be printable to reduce costs and increase device throughput. Once the first generation of devices is developed, a measurement campaign will determine the key performance metrics and inform changes for design optimisation.

This project is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU⁺), a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. 

For informal enquiries please contact Prof Claudio Balocco: claudio.balocco@durham.ac.uk

Eligibility Requirements:

• A minimum of 65% in an MEng degree (or International equivalent Regional Pages - Durham University) in Electronics, Physics or Chemistry
• Appropriate English Language qualifications (Direct Entry Band E - Durham University), if required.
• Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Durham or elsewhere.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.  Visa information for International students can be found here https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/visa-information/.

International applicants (including EU) are required to hold valid, non-Student Route immigration permission to live and study in the UK if they wish to study on a part-time basis as Durham University does not sponsor part-time, Student Route visas.

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.

• Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application 
• If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application, otherwise your visa may be refused.
• Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be paid by the University. 

Modes of study

Full time or Part Time at 0.6 Full Time Equivalent at Durham (see note for international students)

How to apply

For further details on how to apply, and the link to Durham’s Postgraduate Application portal, see

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/

In the Postgraduate Application portal apply for the H1A601 PhD Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (EPSRC RENU CDT) Course. When completing the form on the application portal:

• On the funding tab select ‘yes’ you are applying for a scholarship, select ‘Other’, write RENU/BALOCCO in the name of the scholarship, and select 1st October 2025 as the start date. No scholarship documents are required.
• On the project course details tab write RENU/BALOCCO in Field of Study.

In addition to completing the form on the Postgraduate Application portal, ensure you upload the following additional documents to the portal:

1.        A completed ReNU Plus Competency Assessment Form in the place of a proposal. Please read further instructions within the form.

2.        Curriculum Vitae (CV).

3.        Two satisfactory academic references.

4.       Any other required documentation as listed on https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you follow all these steps to ensure your application is considered.

By submitting your application to ReNU+ you are agreeing for your data to be used as described in the ReNU+ privacy notice.

Deadline for applications: 3 February 2025

Start date of course: 1 October 2025