Dr Vicentiu-Iulian Savu

Vicentiu's Journey in AAPS: An Alumni Profile

With a strong background in Automotive Engineering, Vicentiu has always been passionate about advancing propulsion technologies. His undergraduate studies at Coventry University included research on the combustion process of hydrous ethanol, evaluating its potential as a renewable energy source for thermal propulsion systems. His hands-on experience in the automotive industry—through an industrial placement at Denso Automotive—gave him valuable insight into thermal systems design and development. Motivated by his curiosity in drivetrain systems and energy solutions, Vicentiu joined the AAPS CDT to further explore state-of-the-art simulation methodologies supporting the development of next-generation environmentally friendly powertrains.

PhD Focus

Vicentiu’s PhD titled ‘Automatic Parametrisation Procedure for Equivalent Circuit Models of Li-ion batteries’ was supervised by Chris Brace, Peter Wilson and Nic Zhang with industrial partnership from AVL. This research focused on the automatic parametrisation of equivalent circuit models for Li-ion batteries, in collaboration with AVL. Vicentiu’s work aimed to develop an efficient system parametrisation process, leveraging MoBat, AVL’s proprietary equivalent circuit model. The project explored automated extraction of key parameters from measurement data, iterative refinements for enhanced model accuracy, and strategies to reduce system testing efforts by using prior battery models. These elements enable virtualisation techniques based on data lakes and empower the fast seamless development of digital twins across different battery systems. The findings from his work are set to integrate into ModelFactory, a commercial software platform, amplifying the impact of his contributions to battery modeling for new powertrain designs.

Looking Forward

After completing his PhD, Vicentiu aims to continue his work in battery simulation modelling, supporting the automotive sector’s transition to sustainable and intelligent energy solutions. His expertise in automating  the creation of simulation models will help frontload the research and development of next-generation propulsion systems in virtual environments, aiming to promote improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Reflection on AAPS

For Vicentiu, Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (AAPS) signifies the future of intelligent transportation solutions, fostering sustainability within the mobility sector. His time in the CDT has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing him to rapidly develop research and technical skills. The diverse expertise within the AAPS research community has been instrumental in his academic journey, ensuring that no question goes unanswered. His highlights included

·        The diverse expertise and wide range of topics covered by the AAPS research community provided exposure to a wide array of technical challenges as well as techniques associated with powertrain simulation models, extending knowledge and perspective beyond the key focus of the PhD project.

·        Close collaboration with an industrial partner bridged the gap between the Automotive industry and academic research and enabled the exchange of resources and expertise benefiting both the outcomes of the PhD, but also its industrial applications.

·        The ITT sessions were great opportunities to get in touch with a wide array of challenges faced by industry partners and cross knowledge between their field and your specific area of expertise, as well as a gateway to refresh your thinking by brainstorming on a completely set of issues for a short period of time