Design and optimization of material distribution and geometry for high performance flywheel

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Mechanical and Production Engineering programme. The position is available from 1 August 2024 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
Design and optimization of material distribution and geometry for high performance flywheel

Research area and project description:
This project is part of a bigger project lunched between Aarhus University and 3 industrial partners, aiming at developing a new generation of hybrid fibre composite flywheel. During operation flywheels experience loading originating from the centrifugal forces leading to circumferential and radial stresses.

The two major tasks for the PhD project are:
1) Use hybrid fibres to optimally distribute load, stresses, and mass, so that the overall performance of the flywheel will be maximized under relevant constraints, e.g. related to feasibility of manufacturing.
2) Existing cylindrical shaped flywheels do not reflect the shape needed to maximize rotor performance in the actual operating conditions. In contrast, they are easy to manufacture. The second task is therefore to design a geometry of the flywheel that will increase performance, while still being manufacturable with existing hardware available from the project partners.

The PhD project will be a mixture of numerical, theoretical, and experimental approaches incorporating multiple, multisectorial stakeholders. Such environment will be both vibrant and stimulating giving you a chance to expand your knowledge and soft skills beyond academic.

Project description
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.

Qualifications and specific competences:
The successful applicant must possess a master’s degree in mechanical/aerospace/material engineering, physics or other relevant field and have experience with the finite element method, programming, and optimization. Knowledge of mechanics of materials, composite materials, Python, and topology optimization will be strongly beneficial.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Katrinebjergvej 89F, 8200 Aarhus N.

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

• Søren Peder Madsen, [email protected] (main supervisor)
• Michal K. Budzik, [email protected] (co-supervisor)

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 26 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is 1 August 2024.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.