Our Projects

Almost all electric motors today have a fixed coil of wire in the stator (which maintains stationary) and a fixed magnetic circuit in the rotor (which rotates). When a current is passed through this coil of wire, the stator and rotor magnetically interact with each other, and if controlled correctly, will produce a torque to propell the vehicle. Due to the nature of this fixed winding in the stator, there is a fixed characteristic output of the motor, lets assume a fixed torque as this is mostly true.

Josh's PhD is investigating and improving upon previous work that dynamically 'reconfigures' the winding layout, changing the characteristics of the motor, fundamentally exchanging torque output for rotor speed. In this sense, reconfiguring the windings acts as an electromagnetic gearbox within the motor itself simply by connecting the wires in a different configuration.

Currently the maturity of this strategy is restricted by the complexity of implementation and commercial attractiveness, therefore, we are primarily developing cost competitive alternatives that maintains the added performance and efficiencies this technology has shown to deliver.

Structural batteries are a class of battery materials that operate in a similar fashion to lithium-ion batteries on a chemistry level, but have the additional functionality of being able to carry large mechanical loads. This allows them to be used as load-bearing components in electrified transport applications, where their bifunctionality in this role allows for considerable mass savings on a systems level. Most structural battery architectures use carbon fibres as the electrode materials which are embedded in a polymer electrolyte matrix. One of the main factors preventing commercialisation of structural batteries is the lack of a suitable material for the polymer electrolyte matrix.

The aim of Rob's project is to improve the performance and safety of polymer electrolyte matrix materials for structural batteries. This aim will be achieved initially by developing a fundamental understanding of the interface between the polymer electrolyte matrix and the carbon fibre electrodes. Understanding the nature of this interface will be key to optimising both the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the composite, but so far this is an area that has been relatively unexplored in the context of structural batteries. This aim will also be achieved by developing new materials for the polymer electrolyte matrix. Current polymer electrolyte matrix materials rely on flammable organic liquids for ion conduction, and this project will look at utilising safer materials for the polymer electrolyte matrix.

Improving the energy density of electrochemical energy storage devices is critical to accelerating the uptake of electrified transport and a subsequent transition away from fossil-based fuels. Structural batteries offer an enticing pathway to achieving increased energy density, due to the aforementioned benefits of their bifunctionality. Developing a mechanically strong, fast ion conducting, and safe polymer electrolyte matrix material is a key milestone towards the commercialisation of structural batteries. This research is also relevant to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council since it fits in with the energy storage research area.

Automated driving systems (ADS) could revolutionize transportation, increasing safety and sustainability. However, there are still challenges to make ASD accepted by the public. Laura's project focuses on enhancing the user experience for ADS by looking at users' need profiles and assessing the role of customization of user interfaces (UI). Meeting the requirements of diverse individuals and ultimately implementing trustworthy and inclusive ADS technology could promote acceptance and adoption of ADS.

It is crucial to understand which type of information people expect from the vehicle to maintain transparency and to identify the best modality and moment to deliver the information according to different user profiles.

Experts underlined the importance of identifying cultural and individual differences to match users' needs with technical solutions and they underlined the fundamental role of user experience in user acceptance. Laura aims to inform ADS UI design through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, to understand users' preferences and requirements and assess the effects of UI customization in driving simulations to make sure that the experience of riding ADS is not only safe but also comfortable and inclusive.

Sebastian's PhD will look at Experimental and Theoretical Modelling of Heat Transfer in Aero-engine Compressors.

With increasing compression-ratio demand in gas turbine engines for fuels of the future like SAF and Hydrogen, the tighter tolerances are to be expected. This includes monitoring and predicting expansion of the compressor blades inside the engine, which is dependent on the heat transfer inside the compressor cavity. Since the heat transfer inside these rotating cavities is not static, but depends on the flow structures inside, which also depend on the heat transfer characteristics, it poses conjugate problem that requires further research. By means of experimental investigation the data representative of different operating conditions for gas turbine engines can be obtained and fed into theoretical modelling, and computational fluid dynamics validations.

To achieve variety of operating conditions, not only different non-dimensional parameters of the flow must be investigated, but also numerous modifications to the experimental rig must be added. This includes incorporating pressure sensors, and pre-swirler that would introduce swirl to the upstream flow that is present in all gas turbine engines on aircrafts. This will enable manufacturers to better understand design requirements and limitations of the gas turbine engines, that will contribute towards increasing efficiency of their products and their sustainability.

Our UK transport system needs to decarbonise and part of the solution is to enable people to travel differently - to reduce the need for private car ownership and increase the ability to use public transport, walking and cycling. Research finds that for most people, avoiding car use is the single most effective action they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

National and city are responding with aspirations to reduce car dependence, like “we have a vision for Leeds to be a city where you don't need a car” and “Scotland aims to reduce vehicle distance travelled by 20% by 2030”. They are creating policies that enable households to trade-in their car and receive credit to use alternative local transport services. Lots of these policies are targeted at individuals, rather than engaging streets or communities. 

Pete's project studies whether there are better ways to engage more people to think and behave in terms of 'we' not just 'me'.

There is limited research available on which households want to reduce their car ownership, how this differs within neighbourhoods, and whether people's attitudes and values towards their local area, community and environment are a big influence. 

Pete's project examines how new transport policies have been performing, looking specifically at the West Midlands area. Social science methods, like surveys and interviews, have proven effective to understand who is interested in shifting away from car ownership and why. Finally,  insights from social psychology will be applied to develop a new policy that enables communities to collaborate by trading multiple cars in together and receiving a benefit that improves their local area and transport experience.

Pete's project will impact on local transport operators who are looking for more advanced ways to understand how people want to travel and need more robust and creative methods to design, communicate and test new policy ideas. 

The aim of the PhD project is to develop, validate and parametrise a fuel cell model virtually using given software in alignment with what AVL is currently using. Initially, a fuel cell stack model will be developed, building on what is available to AVL and in the literature. following this a Balance of Plant model (systems external to the stack) will be developed encompassing the main components in the system, again building on what is already currently available. Particular focus will be paid to the humidifier model as this has been identified as a component which requires further work from AVL. These models will run in real time so they can be used for hardware in the loop and virtual testbed applications.  

Seals are an essential component used in a variety of applications and machinery, from steam engines to electric motors. They are considered a cost-effective method in improving engine performance and efficiency. They are designed to limit parasitic loss, such as hot gases escaping a turbine. Labyrinth seals have been used for some time and are popular in turbomachinery applications. However, brush seals are an alternative (and are considered an improvement) but are prone to excessive wear which prevents their widespread use.

Joris's PhD projects develops advanced pLCA methodology utilising IAMs for modelling the future environmental impacts of automotive. In collaboration with UCL, this project aims to utilise the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) IAM to generate future energy mix scenarios aligning to 2°C and 3°C global warming targets. Computational methods in Python will build on existing Wurst packages to link scenario data to EcoInvent – a worldwide LCA data repository – to modify market and transformation activity data according to scenario timelines (IAM-EcoInvent).

The IAM-EcoInvent model will be applied to a variety of automotive inventory data, using Brightway2 packages to conduct pLCA on the long-term environmental impacts of automotive technology that will: address temporal mismatch between life-cycle stages; incorporate the evolving impacts of upstream production processes; and investigate the influence of future electricity and heat generation mixes on LCA results.

In order to address climate change and achieve the ambitious goal of net-zero emissions, the concept of all-electric aircraft offers a disruptive technological pathway for the aviation sector. The propulsion system of all-electric aircraft is entirely powered by clean energy sources, such as hydrogen, which plays a key role in facilitating the transition to renewable energy.

However, the integration of numerous additional electric devices and drives has significantly increased the complexity and power capacity requirements of the propulsion system. As a result, more constraints are placed on testing its dynamic performance, verifying the control strategy, and managing energy consumption at a system level.

Dehoa's research aim is to develop a system-level hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test bench for the electric propulsion system of all-electric aircraft, providing robust support for optimizing and enhancing its performance against uncertain disturbance.

This objective includes addressing communication between various electric devices, developing real-time mathematical models for non-critical components, integrating the cyber and physical environments, and optimizing controllers and operation strategy.  The HIL test bench will provide researchers with the capability to acquire more reliable operational characteristics of the propulsion system under realistic conditions. The establishment of HIL test bench is composed of propulsive electric motors, DC power grid, controllers, and other simulated electronics, with real power flowing through it.