Theses

Showing 1 to 10 of 11 results

Propulsion Electrification
Alternative architectures for structural batteries

Student(s):  Dr Rob Gray

Cohort:  Cohort 1

Date Awarded:  July 24, 2024

Link:  View thesis


Structural batteries are multifunctional materials that are simultaneously capable of storing energy and transferring mechanical loads. This allows for mass savings on a systems level when they are used as structural components in electrified transport applications. The key to realising the next generation of structural batteries may be in the development of alternative architectures, which use different materials and assembly strategies to those that are used in the current state-of-the-art laminated architecture.

Low Carbon Fuels
Development of Novel Group VI Precursors for Thin Film Lubricious Coatings

Student(s):  Dr Ciaran Llewelyn

Cohort:  Cohort 1

Date Awarded:  September 11, 2024

Link:  View thesis


The research presented in Ciarans' thesis aims to identify and investigate the synthesis and detailed characterisation of novel metal oxide precursors that could be utilised as anti-friction and anti-wear additives in automotive lubricants. 

Sustainability and low Carbon Transition
Future carbon footprints of batteries and passenger cars: Prospective life cycle assessment using climate mitigation pathways from integrated assessment models.

Student(s):  Dr Joris Šimaitis

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  March 26, 2025

Link:  View thesis


Joris' thesis advances pLCA methodologies to better represent the current and future environmental impacts of long-lived technologies, focusing on batteries and passenger cars.

Propulsion Electrification
Machine Learning for Real-Time Temperature Monitoring of Electric Machines

Student(s):  Dr Ryan Hughes

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  June 25, 2025

Link:  View thesis


Ryans thesis investigates the application of machine learning techniques to the real-time thermal modelling of electric machines.

Digital Systems, Optimisation and Integration
Numerical 1D-3D CFD Assessments of FVVT Technology in Poppet Valve Four-Stroke and Reverse Loop-scavenged Two-Stroke Engines: A Physics-based Approach

Student(s):  Dr Abdu Elmagdoub

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  November 13, 2024

Link:  View thesis


Propulsion Electrification
Probabilistic forecasting of residential electric vehicle charging demand for low voltage distribution network planning

Student(s):  Dr Isaac Flower

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  June 25, 2025

Link:  View thesis


Isaacs thesis presents a novel probabilistic framework for forecasting EV adoption and charging demand on the LV network, integrating diverse open datasets with advanced statistical methods to deliver uncertainty-aware forecasts that can support evidence based investment decisions.  

Propulsion Electrification
Riding the Waves: The Effect of Current Ripple on Lithium-Ion Cells Characterised via Operando Synchrotron Techniques

Student(s):  Dr Howard Richards

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  June 25, 2025

Link:  View thesis


Howards thesis covers the work undertaken to investigate the effect that current ripple has on lithiumion cells, specifically with regards to automotive applications. Testing of lithium-ion cells is typically performed using highly filtered signals that are not representative of the noisy signals that exist in real world situations due to the high frequency switching of power electronics.

Chemical Energy Converters
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Materials for Aerospace Applications

Student(s):  Dr Elisabetta Schettino

Cohort:  Cohort 1

Date Awarded:  October 02, 2024

Link:  View thesis


Elisabetta's Ph.D. thesis explores the integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) into aviation propulsion systems, focusing on their potential to address sustainability challenges in the aviation sector

Propulsion Electrification
Structural battery electrodes: Full cell development and computational anode study

Student(s):  Dr Thomas Barthelay

Cohort:  Cohort 1

Date Awarded:  June 26, 2024

Link:  View thesis


Thomas' doctoral thesis is a comprehensive study into structural battery electrodes, from transition metal oxide coatings to computational modelling of carbon fibre anodes during charging.

Application of Mathematics
Structure-preserving Electrokinetics

Student(s):  Dr Alex Trenam

Cohort:  Cohort 2

Date Awarded:  June 25, 2025

Link:  View thesis


Alex's doctoral thesis is concerned with the development of finite element methods for coupled systems of partial differential equations (PDEs) relating to problems in charge transport.