Details
Green aviation and Net-zero targets call for significant reductions in the use of conventional fossil fuel as the energy source for aviation activities. As a result, designs of aerospace vehicles using electric, hydrogen and hybrid power sources have seen rapid developments. This leads to many interesting control challenges.
This project will focus on the use of the latest development of numerical optimal control in addressing these challenges. At the sub-system level, there is an increasing need to develop methods that would allow efficient management of different energy sources. Then at the vehicle level, the optimal flying strategy can be drastically different depending on the propulsion system design. Therefore, there is the opportunity to use advanced trajectory optimization tools to explore different flying strategies to improve the performance of the vehicle.
Upon the successful completion of this project, the PhD candidate will gain expertise in formulating and implementing tailored dynamic optimization and predictive control designs arising from a wide range of engineering fields, including aerospace, automotive, robotics and mechatronics.
Funding Notes
This is a self-funded research project.
We require applicants to have either an undergraduate honours degree (1st) or MSc (Merit or Distinction) in a relevant science or engineering subject from a reputable institution.
Full details of how to apply can be found at the following link:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/research-degrees/applyphd
Applicants can apply for a Scholarship from the University of Sheffield but should note that competition for these Scholarships is highly competitive: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/scholarships
