EPSRC PhD Studentship - Vibration powered energy harvesting devices
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Energy harvesting is a form of renewable power generation and is a key enabling technology for a whole host of future distributed electrical systems, such as implantable medical devices, wearable computing and structural health monitoring. The Faculty of Engineering at Bristol University has a growing team of researchers investigating energy harvesting and the wider field of micro electro-magnetic devices, drawing together the skills of non-linear mathematicians and magnetic/electrical experimentalists within our state-of-the-art dynamics laboratories.

The department of Aerospace engineering is offering a studentship investigating the behaviour of vibration powered energy harvesting devices with non-linear elements: non-linearities are introduced by the mechanical, magnetic and electrical components of the system. In particular non-linear behaviour is being investigated for potential performance improvements.

The research is cross-faculty, and the student will be able to engage with members of staff from several departments: Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Engineering and Aerospace. There are both theoretical and experimental aspects to the research and the ideal applicant will have skills in one aspect and be happy to develop skills in the other.

Applicants should have, or expect to be awarded a 2.1 or 1st class UK first degree or equivalent in an engineering discipline. The post attracts the standard EPSRC stipend, currently £12600 for the 2007/8 year (tax free). Applicants are reminded to check EPSRC regulations to determine eligibility for the award.

Applicants should follow the procedure at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/...e/2007/intro/8

Technical queries can be addressed to Dr. S. Burrow (Stephen.burrow@bristol.ac.uk). All other enquires, and completed applications to:

Postgraduate Admissions Secretary
Department of Aerospace Engineering
University of Bristol
Queens Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TR
England
aero-pg-admissions@bristol.ac.uk