PhD Studentship: Advanced Litz Wire Modelling and Manufacturing for Ultra-High Speed Propulsion Motors
Advanced Litz Wire Modelling and Manufacturing for Ultra-High Speed Propulsion Motors
This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). It is based within the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, which amongst its internationally renowned research portfolio, conducts cutting edge research into the development of future Power Electronics and Electrical Motor Drives Systems.
This is 3-year fully funded studentship and is only open to UK home students. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees. Additionally, £2,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc. Due to funding restrictions this PhD position is only available to UK nationals. As this position is sponsored by the MTC, any successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks prior to the commencement of the PhD.
Vision
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct cutting-edge research with support from state-of-the-art electric motor manufacturing platforms both at the MTC and at the PEMC Institute, University of Nottingham. Based on the emerging Litz wire winding technology, this PhD project will focus on multi-physics modelling and characterisation of “programmable” Litz wires. By leveraging the MTC's exclusive high-spec braiding machine, this research has the vision of significantly enhancing the design and manufacturing process of Litz wire winding for next-generation high-spec electric propulsion systems.
Motivation
The ambitious roadmaps of electrification in high-performance propulsion applications are pushing the boundary of electric motor speed, especially in motorsport and aviation sectors. Achieving ultra-high speed motor operation demands advanced winding solutions capable of handling elevated frequencies and corresponding AC losses. Litz wire, with its unique capability in AC loss mitigation, is pivotal for pushing motor’s efficiency and power density. Meanwhile, its design-stage modelling, encompassing power losses, thermal behaviour, and mechanical integrity, remains at early stage. Current practices are limited in capturing the layout complexity and manufacturing flexibility of Litz wire against its multi-physics performance variation. Addressing these challenges based on the MTC's world-class wire braiding machine offers an exciting PhD opportunity, to revolutionise Litz wire winding development, and accelerate advancements in high-speed propulsion technologies.
Aim
The project will focus on developing rapid modelling tools capable of delivering high-fidelity predictions of Litz wire performance across multiple physics. This tool will account for wide range of layout construction options enabled by the MTC’s state-of-the-art programmable Litz wire manufacturing platform. The research will providing a robust framework for integrating this advanced winding manufacturing technology into next-generation ultra-high speed propulsion systems.
The PEMC Institute is home to Driving the Electric Revolution Midlands Industrialisation Centre and the UK Electrification of Aerospace Propulsion Facilities, which have received over £20M of funding in the last 3 years. This 5000m2 institute with state-of-the-art facilities for research into electrification technologies, hosting 21 academics, 60 post-doctoral researchers and over 80 PhD students, will be made available for this PhD project.
As a PhD student, you will work with both academics from the PEMC Institute at University of Nottingham and also have the opportunity to work with the engineering teams within the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This will give you real-world experience in working within in an industrial company, as well as experiencing the workplace and culture within it.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated candidate, with a 1st or high 2:1 degree in electrical / mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related scientific disciplines. It is desirable that the candidate has: demonstrated skills in numerical tools; good programming skills (MATLAB, python, C++ etc). Any experience or capabilities in engineering design or manufacturing methods would be advantageous.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Faculty of Engineering (FoE) provides a thriving working environment for all Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking, and career development after the PhD. The faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners.
The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers. For more information please visit the MTC website.
Contact
For further information on this PhD position please contact Prof. Chris Gerada from UoN side: (chris.gerada@nottingham.ac.uk), and Dan Walton from MTC side (dan.walton@the-mtc.org).
Closing Date: 28th February 2025.
Proposed PhD Start Date: 1st October 2025.
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