PhD Research Opportunities
The group has a strong history of producing first class PhD level post graduates, many of whom now hold a variety of senior academic and industrial posts in the Power Electronics, Drives and Machines field. This area of specialism continues to benefit from numerous opportunities, supported by the continuous increases in world-wide focus on the electrification of cars and aircraft along with generation from renewable resources.
Each year the group aims to take on five to six PhD candidates in order to undertake novel research in this exciting field. Currently candidates have been drawn not just from the University and other UK institutions but also increasingly from overseas. Requirements are a UK first class honors degree (or international equivalent) and fluent written and spoken English language.
As examples, the following PhD / Engineering Doctorate projects are currently being undertaken in the group:
- Modulated Pole Machines (Jamie Washington) - sponsored by Höganäs, the leading manufacturer of Soft Magnetic Composites, this project is investigating novel ways in which to improve the torque density of Modulated Pole Machines (also known as Transverse Flux Machines).
- Flux switching machines using segmental rotors (Ackim Zulu) - the project is developing and investigating three phase configurations of flux switching machines employing segmental rotors. They are brushless machines in which the primary excitation, either by field winding or permanent magnets, and the armature windings are all on the stator.
- Photovoltaic (PV) Pumping Systems with Microcontroller-Based MPPT Control (Mohammed Elgendy) - sponsored by the Egyptian Government, this project is investigating performance improvement of Hill-Climbing maximum power point tracking algorithms and their application to stand alone PV systems such as PV pumping systems.
- Design and Analysis of Non-smooth Dynamical Systems via Takagi-Sugeno (TS) Fuzzy Approach (Kaymar Mehran) - this project proposes novel TS fuzzy methods for modelling, stability analysis and controller design for non-smooth dynamical systems including switching power electronic converters.
The group will on a case by case basis support suitable candidates in finding suitable industrial or other sponsorship throughout their PhD.
More information on research degrees offered by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
