Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Winding Development for Electric Motors Enabling Net Zero
This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). It is based within the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, which amongst its internationally renowned research portfolio conducts cutting edge research into the development of future Power Electronics and Electrical Motor Drives Systems.
Vision
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct cutting edge research with support from state-of-the-art electric motor manufacturing platforms both at the MTC and at PEMC Institute. Based on rapidly advancing Carbon Nanotube (CNT) material technology, the PhD project will be focused on development of next generation electric motors with CNT windings for electric vehicle traction and aerospace propulsion featuring opportunity for significant improvements on performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
Motivation
Electrification is a main enabler for decarbonised transportation. To achieve the “Net Zero” target by 2050 in the UK ambitious roadmaps have been drawn up by national institutions including the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), and Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). This translates into step-change performance requirements for electrical motors from a state-of-the-art continuous power density of 2-5 kW/kg to 10-25 kW/kg by 2035. The highest power dense motors today rely on unsustainable materials including noble metals, heavy rare-earth materials, and on carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. Incremental improvements in electrical motor technologies will not suffice to bridge the power density gap required for aerospace hybrid and electric propulsion, nor sustain the widespread adoption of electrical vehicles in an environmentally friendly and ethical way. A radical approach to how electrical motors are developed, combined with emerging material technology, is needed. .
PhD project description
This project will start with capability characterisation of the emerging CNT wire technology. After quantifying the superior properties of CNT against copper and aluminium windings in specific high-performance applications, the PhD focus on developing novel solutions of motor topologies featuring CNT windings, including designing and testing of optimised prototypes for benchmark validation.
The PEMC Institute is home to Driving the Electric Revolution Midlands Industrialisation Centre and the UK Electrification of Aerospace Propulsion Facilities, which have received over £20m of funding in the last three years. This 5000m2 institute with state-of-the-art facilities for research into electrification technologies, hosting 21 academics, 60 post-doctoral researchers and over 80 PhD students, will be made available for this PhD project.
As a PhD student you will work with academics from the PEMC Institute and have the opportunity to work with the engineering teams within the MTC. This will give you real-world experience in working within an industrial company, as well as experiencing the workplace and culture within it.
Funding
This is a three year fully funded studentship open to UK “home” students only. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees. An additional £2,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel etc. As this position is sponsored by the MTC, the successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks prior to the commencement of the PhD.
Candidate requirements
- An enthusiastic, self-motivated candidate with a 1st or high 2:1 degree in electrical / mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related scientific disciplines
- It is desirable that the candidate has demonstrated skills in numerical tools and good programming skills (MATLAB, python, C++ etc)
- Any experience or capabilities in engineering design or manufacturing methods would be advantageous
Eligibility and how to apply
- Due to funding restrictions the position is available for UK nationals/candidates only
- Project start date: 1 October 2025
- Closing date for applications: 28 February 2025
- For further information on this PhD studentship email Professor Chris Gerada (University of Nottingham) and Dan Walton (MTC)
The university actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We provide a thriving working environment for all our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs. We support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society and our PGR research group represpentatives to enhance the research environment for PGRs. You'll benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s training programme, with those based within the faculty able to access bespoke courses developed specifically for engineering PGRs including sessions on paper writing, networking, and career development after your PhD. We have outstanding facilities and work in partnership with leading industrial partners.
The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers