University of Glamorgan - Centre for Engineering Research and Environmental Application, Faculty of Advanced Technology and Connaught Engineering Ltd
Programme Outline
A 3 year PhD studentship is being offered for a researcher to work on the following programme of work:-
'Modelling and Validation of Retrofit HGV Hybrid System'
The primary aim of the research programme is to model, simulate and finally implement within an actual HGV application a retrofitable hybrid system which will return improvements on fuel economy and reductions in CO2 emissions.
During the initial phases of the programme the student will develop an overall system model of the HGV vehicle, namely the Volvo FM12 and FH12 variants. Then using the industrial partners existing hybrid vehicle models for the commercial 3.5 ton vehicle market, develop an overall hybrid system model for the HGV application. With this model, the successful applicant will then perform various simulations of the overall vehicle to develop the necessary control strategies, energy management structure and hardware systems to allow an actual real world demonstration system to be prototyped firstly on a test rig and finally within an actual HGV.
The outcome of the research will be a set of novel models and control strategies for improvements in diesel engine based fuel economy for the HGV and wider industrial market. The student will also receive a PhD by thesis based on the research outcomes and the industrial partner company will have a prototype product which they will then look to commercialise post studentship, as part of a follow on R&D programme of work.
Student Information
The studentship is full time for 3 years and has a bursary of £19,000 per annum and will be paid monthly. Additional UK/EU research fees of £3,390 will be paid. However international student fees of £10,600 per annum will not be covered above the £3,390 limit and will mean the bursary in this case will be reduced to £11,790 per annum.
In addition to the bursary the student will have an additional equipment budget and a reasonable travel budget to allow him/her to represent the University of Glamorgan and Connaught Engineering at one international conference per annum.
The student will also be based at the industrial partner headquarters at Technium PE, Llanelli and therefore should also consider the cost of accommodation locally if commuting long distances. Connaught Engineering who has several staff in digs within the area will be able to assist with this.
Applicant Profile
The applicant should be an undergraduate with a 1st class honour, 2.1 degree in an automotive/engineering related field with a good background in modelling of both mechanical and electrical systems. He/she should have a positive attitude to practical and applied research with a good level of previous hands on work experience as well as formal academic teaching. Connaught Engineering is a progressive green technology company with aspirations to become the UK's leader in retrofitable hybrid systems and therefore the applicant should consider that beyond the successful completion of this PhD studentship there is the potential for long career with the company.
Further Information
For further PhD studentship information please contact Mrs Jenny Andrews, Research Office, J430, Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, Tel: 01443 482546, Email: jandrews@glam.ac.uk or atresadmin@glam.ac.uk
For further PhD programme of work information please contact Prof Guoping Liu, Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, Tel: 01443 484023 Email: gliu@glam.ac.uk
