PhD Studentship: Ageing Assessment of Transformer Insulation Systems through Molecular Dynamic Simulation

This is an industry funded project which will cover tuition fees (home or overseas) and provide a tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25).

The accurate assessment of the remaining lifetime of transformer insulation systems has always been a challenge faced by the transformer industry. Better understandings of the ageing mechanisms and the degradation kinetics can help interpret the ageing results obtained from the experiments as well as to identify potential new ageing markers.

Computational chemical modelling which also called Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation is becoming increasingly popular across science and engineering fields to study microscopic processes that cannot be visualised or investigated through experiments. Such chemical modelling approaches facilitate the study of individual ageing mechanisms to identify the primary source of various chemical markers. This PhD project aims to study the degradation mechanisms of cellulosic paper insulation and identify potential new ageing indicators through the molecular dynamic simulation of liquid-solid insulation systems.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, first class honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their research experience through contribution to international journal or conference publications.

Please send your CV and detailed transcripts of all your previous and current university studies to Prof. Zhongdong Wang (zhongdong.wang@manchester.ac.uk) and Dr. Shanika Matharage (shanika.matharage@manchester.ac.uk) before you make an application.

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