Dynamics and Control of Engineering Systems.

Location:Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ

Project description:
Intensive energy consuming industrial sectors have become one of the most important actors on the global climate change. Nowadays, industrial sectors orient their strategies with fossil fuel usage for avoiding costs and environmental impacts, and develop especially energy-saving applications. However, energy saving investments in industry sectors are implemented slowly due to the investment costs, and these costs are immediately reflected to the prices of today’s economic life. Thus, it is a major challenge for power intensive industries in the UK to utilize renewable energy in order to ensure long-term sustainable economic growth. Strategies and new control techniques for engineering systems to reduce their energy consumptions are to become compulsory.

This project aims to study the complex dynamics and the bifurcation mechanisms of nonlinear engineering systems with a particular focus on non-smooth systems, such as impact oscillator, drifting oscillator, and develop new control strategies (e.g. predictive control, PD control, or impulsive control) in order to maintain their performance within a satisfactory level. Both numerical and experimental works will be carried out.

This PhD offers an excellent opportunity for the candidate to develop novel technologies for various non-smooth engineering systems, and provide fundamental basis for practical applications. The application areas cover oil and gas drilling, engineering pipeline inspection, and general engineering systems involving vibration and impacts.

For more information about the project and informal enquiries, please contact the primary supervisor: Dr Yang Liu - [Email Address Removed]


Entry requirements:
Applicants for this research project must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency.