Superconducting machines for electric aircraft

This PhD studentship aims to develop superconducting propulsion motors for future electric aircraft. Future electric aircraft helps to reduce carbon emission and aviation pollution. But current electrical motors can’t meet the power density requirement of aircraft propulsion. Superconductors can greatly increase the power density of electrical motors. Therefore superconducting motors are promising for future electric aircraft applications.

The project involves the design, modelling and testing of a superconducting motor, using the second generation high temperature superconductor. The student will be using finite element software for the machine modelling. The testing will be carried out at Bath’s Applied Superconductivity Group. The project will be part of a research project supported by Royal Academy of Engineering. Project partners include Rolls Royce and Airbus.

This research is part of the Applied Superconductivity Group within the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath.

Applicants should have or expect to achieve First Class BEng degrees in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with a Masters degree and research experience are particularly welcome.

Please contact Dr Min Zhang: [Email Address Removed] for more information