Many autonomous systems, for example in structural health monitoring, need to work for extended periods with limited access to change batteries. In these cases some form of energy harvesting is vital, and one source of ambient energy is vibration. Recently, there has been a huge research interest in harvesting vibration energy, and this project will exploit the nonlinear vibration response in the harvester to arising from impact. Such non-linear systems have the potential to harvest more energy from low frequency ambient excitation. The project will involve the modelling, analysis and simulation of the harvester, and also the design and testing of an optimised design.
The project is funded as part of the Sêr Cymru National Research Network in Advanced Engineering and Materials in collaboration with Cardiff University. The supervisors will be Prof Friswell and Prof Adhikari at Swansea, and Dr Featherston at Cardiff. The studentship will be based at Swansea with some travel to Cardiff.
Study Subjects and Level:
Studentships are awarded in engineering (Ambient Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesting Exploiting Impact Nonlinearity) at Swansea University in UK. The studentships are obtainable for studying PhD degree at Swansea University in UK.
Eligibility to apply:
- Candidates should hold a first or upper second class honours degree in mechanical/aeronautical engineering, mathematics, physics, or similar (any engineering, mathematics or science background which involves modelling and simulation, including the analysis of dynamic systems, will be considered).
- The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the writing of articles in international journals and be able to present results at research meetings and conferences.
- Demonstrable knowledge of a programming language such as MATLAB would be highly desirable.
Residency criteria:
- This studentship is open to UK/EU and international students, but the award only covers tuition fees at the UK/EU level. International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international tuition fees.
Scholarship Open for:
International and UK/ EU students can apply for these studentships.
Scholarship Duration:
Studentships are offered for three years (subject to satisfactory progress).
Scholarship Value:
- The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend of £13,863 p.a. for three years (subject to satisfactory progress).
- International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international tuition fees.
- An additional £3,600 will be available for research expenses and conference attendance.
How to Apply?
To apply for this studentship, please send a detailed CV and covering letter to Professor Michael I. Friswell: m.i.friswell-at-swansea.ac.uk.
Informal enquiries are welcome and may also be directed to Professor Friswell at the email address above, or by telephone: +44 (0)1792 602969.
Application Deadline: 26th August 2014.
For further information: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/engineering-phd-ambient-piezoeletric-vibration.php
