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Research Studentship in Power Electronics Thermal Management

Research Studentship in Power Electronics Thermal Management

Project: Power electronics thermal management.

3.5-year D.Phil. studentship 

Supervisors: Prof Edmond Walsh

The studentship will be based at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute within theDepartment of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford.

With the commitment to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources there is an increasing requirement for power electronics in many applications; for example wind turbines to next generation of aircraft and spacecraft. For such applications cost and weight are major considerations, and hence there is a continuous drive to make devices smaller and lights while simultaneously dissipating more heat.

Immersion cooling and phase change (boiling/evaporation) result in some of the largest heat transfer coefficients of any cooling mechanism. This project will theoretically and experimentally investigate boiling heat transfer, using cryogenic and fluorocarbon fluids, with various surface geometries and treatments to evaluate optimum design. Key objectives will be to reduce weight and volume while simultaneously increasing heat dissipation. The project will initially start with immersion cooling and progress to flow boiling using cryogenic fluids.

Eligibility

This studentship is available to Home students eligible for UK University fees. Republic of Ireland passport holders typically qualify for home student status.

Award Value

Course fees are covered at the level set for Home students c. £9,500 p.a. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is c. £18,622 p.a. for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two and a half years. -

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• An honours degree, 2.1 or higher, in Engineering, Physics, bioengineering or closely related field;
• Demonstration of a good working knowledge of fluid mechanics and heat tranfser, ideally at the microscale, through experiments and/or theoretical projects.
• Excellent English written and spoken communication skills are a basic requirement;

The following skills are desirable but not essential:

• Demonstration of research projects
• Demonstration of experience doing experiments
• Ability to program in Matlab.
• Experimental experience in convective heat transfer
• Knowledge of boiling heat transfer

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Edmond Walsh (edmond.walsh@eng.ox.ac.uk).

Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria.  Details are available on the course page of the University website.

Please quote 24ENGTH_EW2 in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: noon on 15th July 2023

Start date: October 2024