A Model-Based Design Platform To Conjointly Optimise The Performance Of The Powertrains And The Associated Energy Management Strategy Of The Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Duration: 3 years Fixed Term

Application deadline: Ongoing

Informal enquiries are essential before application; contact Dr. Arash Moradinegade Dizqah to discuss this opportunity.

Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree with Coventry’s Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing. As an ambitious and innovative University, we’re investing an initial £100m into our new research strategy, ‘Excellence with Impact’ (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/about-research-at-coventry/). Through original approaches from world-leading experts, we’re aiming for our research to make a tangible difference to the way we live. As a research student you are an integral part of Coventry’s lively and diverse research community and contribute to our reputation for excellence. With our exceptional facilities and superb support mechanisms (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/research-studentships/research-studentships-the-benefits/?id=98267) you are afforded every opportunity for academic success.

THE PROJECT
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are over-actuated systems and hence an energy management strategy (EMS) is required to optimally distribute the overall torque and yaw moment demands among different powertrains to minimise the overall vehicle energy consumption.

Conventionally, an EMS is developed for an existent HEV; however, the performance of the EMS itself depends on the coupled characteristics of the powertrains. As a result, the development of HEVs requires a system approach where the powertrains and the EMS have to be designed and optimized conjointly.

In this project, a model-based design (MBD) platform will be developed to characterise the optimal powertrains and the associated optimal EMS of the desired HEV in terms of the energy consumption and emission level.

The research question requires a number of studies that will include:

- The formulation of the corresponding optimisation problems based on the models of the powertrains and drivers, as well as different possible topologies of the HEV;
- The development of a fast solver for the above problem whose solution is the optimal characteristics of the drivetrains and the associated optimal EMS;
- The validation of the performance of the conjoint design and the associated EMS by a hardware-in-loop (HiL) simulation platform.

ABOUT THE CENTRE/DEPARTMENT
Our research in Mobility & Transport works across our faculties and focuses on the design and engineering of future transport systems, including the growing influence of the internet and connectivity. The focus is on inclusive, sustainable and safe transport integrating the strongest research elements in design and engineering. Future transport systems have a number of high level aims including ambitions to totally eliminate road fatalities, to eliminate congestion, to provide users with seamless integrated and connected transport systems, to eliminate emissions and to develop vehicles and systems that use lightweight, efficient and recycled materials.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants will have:

- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average, or
- A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
- Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

Additionally:

- Enthusiasm and aptitude for both practical and theoretical activities
- Demonstrated competence in control theories and mathematical modelling
- A wish to publish academic research in the highest quality journals
- Prior knowledge of vehicle systems would be advantageous
- Prior knowledge of modelling and simulation with Matlab/SIMULINK, Modelica and Python would be advantageous.

ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application Procedure:
Application information can be found in our how to apply section (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/how-to-apply/?id=88848). Before completing the application please contact Arash Moradinegade Dizqah (cc'ing [Email Address Removed] when you do) for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.

Eligibility:
All UK/EU students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found here: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/research-entry-criteria/?id=88841