Thermal Management Using PCM and Dielectric Two-Phase Cooling for Battery Packs (LANDINIS_U26EMP)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026. Project is open to Home applicants only.
- Location
- UEA
- Funding type
- Self-funded
- Start date
- 1 June 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- Masters by Research
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Stefano Landini
The transition toward electric mobility is accelerating globally, and electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) have emerged as a highly viable solution for urban transport, especially in South and Southeast Asia due to their affordability and compactness. However, one of the key barriers to performance and safety is effective thermal management of lithium-ion battery (LIB) packs. Overheating can lead to reduced efficiency, cell degradation, and in worst cases, thermal runaway. Conventional air-cooling methods are insufficient for compact E2W battery configurations, particularly under high loads and hot climates. Hybrid systems that integrate phase change materials (PCMs) with two-phase dielectric liquid cooling have recently shown potential to manage peak thermal loads, smooth temperature gradients, and extend battery life.
This project aims to design, simulate, and experimentally validate a hybrid battery thermal management system (BTMS) combining these two techniques, tailored to the needs of two-wheeler EVs in South Asian climates.
Aims and Objectives
• To develop a compact hybrid BTMS incorporating PCMs and two-phase dielectric cooling.
• To model thermal behaviour during fast charging and discharging cycles.
• To prototype and test the BTMS under realistic urban drive profiles.
• To evaluate performance in terms of temperature control, safety, and energy efficiency.
Proposed Methodology
PCM materials will be selected and enhanced with thermally conductive fillers. These will be embedded around cylindrical or pouch lithium-ion cells. A parallel two-phase immersion loop using a dielectric coolant will be designed to activate during peak loads. CFD models will be developed in ANSYS to simulate transient thermal behaviour of the hybrid system. Parameters including ambient temperature, battery charge and discharge rates, heat generation rates, and fluid flow will be optimised. The BTMS will be fabricated and integrated into a modular battery pack for lab-scale testing and performance characterisation under simulated drive cycles and fast charging.
Entry requirements
The standard minimum entry requirement is 2:2 in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering.
Funding
This project is offered on a self-funding basis. It is open to applicants with funding or those applying to funding sources. Details of tuition fees can be found here.
A bench fee is also payable in addition to the tuition fee to cover specialist equipment or laboratory costs required for the research. Applicants should contact the primary supervisor for further information about the fee associated with the project.
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