PhD Studentship: Cell Casing Design for Assembly, Disassembly and Crash Safety

University of Warwick

Discipline:Engineering & Technology, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering

Qualification:Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

This project is a collaborative research effort between Jaguar Land Rover and WMG (University of Warwick). The collaboration seeks to investigate and develop new joining methods of battery pack module assemblies. The biggest challenge is moving away from an adhesive heavy application, and to find methods for End-of-Life disassembly.

Battery pack construction uses adhesives to fix multiple cells in place, creating a block of battery modules. The adhesive has several benefits, including thermal conductivity, electrical insulating and creating the necessary structural integrity needed around the battery.

However, this process can be slow, induces an element of stacking error and removes the options for easy disassembly for repair, replace or recycle.

In this project modification of the cell end cap design is to be investigated through FE analysis, prototype build and physical testing with the objective of providing a cell which is self-locating adds structural stiffness to the module and allows easy disassembly for repair or recycling.

This project will investigate new joining approaches for the battery back structure, look to incorporate structural rigidity into the module assembly and achieve a method for disassembly between cell and module.

The PhD is funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the associated PhD student will have the opportunity to work closely with JLR engineers at Gaydon and Whitley. The skills they will develop will be highly sought after both in university research and as a practising engineer in industry.

Scholarship:

The award will cover the tuition fee level, plus a tax-free stipend, paid at the prevailing UKRI rate for3.5 years of full-time study. The standard UKRI stipend payment for academic year 2025 is £20,780.

Eligibility:

The candidate should have a good 2.1 Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering

How to apply:

Candidates should first completing our online enquiry form where you can upload your CV, supporting statement and transcripts for the academic team to review..If this initial application is successful, we will invite you to formally apply. All candidates must fulfil the University of Warwick entry criteria and obtain an unconditional offer before commencing enrolment.

For further details of the post, please contact Dr. Craig Carnegie (craig.carnegie@warwick.ac.uk). For queries regarding the application process, please contact wmgresearchdegrees@warwick.ac.uk