PhD Project in Enhancing Fuel Cell Lifetime Performance through Effective Health Monitoring and Decision Support

A PhD project is available with Integrated Studies in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their applications. The particular PhD project available is to look at the reliability and health monitoring of fuel cells.

Supervisors: Dr Lisa Jackson and Dr Sarah Dunnett

There are currently many challenges to the fuel cell system commercialisation, cost, durability, reliability and size to name just a few. This PhD project is based on better understanding the failure effects and reliability implications within PEM fuel cells, via developing an effective health monitoring system.  To maximise the lifetime of the fuel cell knowledge on the state of the cell, its previous operating conditions and hence potential degradation state are required.  How to use this information is key to maximising the remaining life of the cell and hence optimising the functionality of the system it is within.  This research will aim to consider what the best health monitoring set up is for a PEM fuel cell to maximise the information available on the health of the cell. Coupled with an effective decision support system the output will enable a strategy for informed decision making with regards to the predicted life time remaining of the cell and ultimately the best strategy to enable the optimisation of its remaining lifecycle.

What is a PhD with integrated studies:

Lasts for four years.

Has taught modules in the first two years in Science, Engineering, Energy, team building as well as Business, Economics and Management.

Provides research in Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Technologies.

Provides a stipend of £14,400 per annum (tax-free) with University fees paid by EPSRC.

Potential involvement of Industry: Intelligent Energy; Johnson Matthey; Jaguar Land Rover; Air Products.

If you are interested in the above project and require further information please contact Dr Lisa Jackson, l.m.jackson@lboro.ac.uk.

Due to funding restrictions this studentship is open to UK nationals only with upper second or better in any relevant Engineering and Mathematics disciplines. Existing employees with relevant industrial work experience will also be considered.  The start date for the project is expected to be October 2013. To apply, send a full CV with a covering letter of application to: Dr Lisa Jackson by email: L.M.Jackson@lboro.ac.uk.