PhD Research Studentship: Plasma-Assisted Combustion of Sustainable Fuels

Start in:September (Semester 1)

About the Project

Plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) is a promising approach to enhancing the ignition, stability, and efficiency of hydrogen and ammonia combustion for sustainable aerospace applications. By leveraging non-equilibrium reactive plasmas, PAC can modify flame chemistry, reduce emissions, and enable the use of alternative fuels in propulsion systems.

This Leverhulme Trust-funded PhD project will investigate the enhancement pathways of non-equilibrium plasmas in low-emission ammonia and hydrogen combustion, in collaboration with the York Plasma Institute. The research will combine computational modelling, experimental validation, and machine learning techniques to develop a predictive phenomenological PAC model.

The successful applicant will develop and apply multiscale modelling approaches, including:

• Development and validation of a detailed phenomenological PAC model for ammonia mixtures 
• Machine learning (ML) models to enhance computational efficiency in plasma-combustion simulations
• High-fidelity turbulence simulations (Large Eddy Simulations ) to assess real-world PAC performance 

Training & Development

The PhD student will receive comprehensive training in:

• Plasma physics and diagnostics at the York Plasma Institute
• Computational combustion modelling using High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Machine learning techniques for predictive combustion models
• Research communication and professional development, with opportunities to present at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

The student will be part of a collaborative research network, working closely with researchers at the York Plasma Institute and other national and international partners.

Funding Notes

• This 4 year PhD project is fully funded by the Leverhulme Trust and open to UK applicants only. The successful applicant will receive home tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,237 for 2024/25)
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2:1 honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in mechanical/aerospace/chemical engineering, or applied physics
• Applicant required to start by October 2025

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Amin Paykani

E-mail: a.paykani@qmul.ac.uk

Funding

Funded by: Queen Mary Research

UK students only.

Home students only can apply.

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
• Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Amin PAYKANI.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Aerospace Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start): via the Apply button above.

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-661" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

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