Dorothy Hodgkin PhD Studentship – Use of Thermo-electric Generators in Hostile Environments

School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering

Reference Code: EE008

Closing Date: 30th June 2009

Details:

Supervisors: Dr Alton Horsfall and Professor Nick Wright
School: School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards Scheme (DHPA)
Duration: 3 years

The funding for this project has been made possible through a Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award in Resilient Technology.

The project will investigate the use of thermo electric generators in hostile environments, such as those experienced by space probes to the inner solar system. Recent developments suggest that efficiencies close to the theoretical Carnot limit may be possible, but this has not been achieved, with reports in the literature around 10%. The project will investigate the use of a variety of methods including thermogenerators and thermo-tunneling devices and how these perform in regions of high and low temperatures and under simulated solar flares.

This project is due to start in September 2009.

Eligibility and Value of the Award
In line with the DHPA scheme you must be a national from one of the eligible countries listed on the OECD webpage. For more information on eligibility, please also see the Research Council UK’s website.

The award covers tuition fees and maintenance of approximately £13,290 per year.

Person Specification
You must have, or expect to achieve, a first-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in electronic engineering or physics.

How to Apply
You should complete the University’s online postgraduate application form, quoting the code EE008 and selecting ‘PhD School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering’. A CV including contact details of two referees and a personal statement stating why you are suitable for this studentship should be attached to the application form.

You should also send a copy of your CV and personal statement, quoting the code EE008, to Mrs Gill Webber, gill.webber@ncl.ac.uk, (School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU).

Closing date for applications: 30 June 2009