Chandula Wanasinghe

Bio

Chandula joined the AAPS CDT having recently graduated from his BEng in Automotive Engineering at Brunel University London with First Class honours. In his dissertation, Chandula focussed on building and evaluating 3 active cooling solutions for a first-generation Nissan Leaf battery pack. Using computational fluid dynamics and electrochemical models, he ascertained the behaviour of fluid flows and battery cell temperature distributions. He was able to conclude that the implementation of a modular active thermal management system would be beneficial to both the longevity and performance of the battery pack. Stemming from an early age, Chandula had a fondness of cars which pushed him, in his final year at the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, to build a Caterham kit car from the ground up with a team of like-minded individuals.

Chandula’s industry experience covers both hybrid and pure internal combustion engine powertrains. His first placement at JD Auto Care he covered the maintenance of tradition ICE systems, culminating in a final project of rebuilding and rewiring a Toyota 4E-FE engine on his own accord. In years to come, he would join Jaguar Land Rover Sri Lanka as a hybrid vehicle diagnostics intern. This role expanded his knowledge of automotive powertrains to those that included part electrification, and the challenges faced by such vehicles when acclimatising to warmer climates.

Chandula is seeking to continue his fascination in the battery thermal management system path he forged through his BEng. He intends on focussing on creating high accuracy simulation models of thermal management systems; utilising more complex computational analysis based upon real world data. Striving to create a more sustainable tomorrow, Chandula is focussing on making vehicle electrification a more attractive and viable solution for both personal mobility and mass transport.