Unravelling the Data Behind Battery Fires

The successful PhD student will be co-supervised and work alongside our external partner FRISSBE- ZAG.

This studentship is open to students worldwide *please see funding notes below

Renewable Energy is one of the fastest growing sectors addressing the most important challenges of our age.  Offshore renewables, energy distribution, and the environmental impacts of constructing and decommissioning the infrastructure are some one of the most pressing research themes faced by the UK and beyond.  The Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions Centre (N0MES) for Doctoral Training is creating the future specialist workforce needed by our industrial partners through PhD projects finding solutions to real-life industrial needs. N0MES offers 4-year PhD studentships for exceptional researchers. With the support of the University of Liverpool (UoL), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and over 30 maritime energy sector partners, N0MES postgraduate researchers will pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research.

N0MES CDT Theme A: Energy Generation

Societies are becoming more aware of climate change, and many efforts exist to create a more sustainable planet such as the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and their integration in various forms, such as electrical vehicles (EVs), propulsion systems for vessels, and other mobile and stationary applications (energy storage and micro-mobility). LIB technology is and will be more present in our daily lives as it continues to expand across several industries. Nonetheless, the full deployment of LIB technologies is hindered by its safety challenges, as LIB cells can undergo thermal runaway phenomena leading to fire and explosion hazards. Additionally, the consequences of such hazards can have extensive effects on society, especially on the population, first responders, maritime communities, and the built environment. Understanding LIB technology's thermal stability and fire behaviour is fundamental to evaluating and designing mitigation methods for safely deploying such technology. Guidelines of standards and codes require a continuous evaluation of current fire scenarios to implement safer applications of lithium-ion batteries for societies.

The purpose of this project would be to:

1.        Understand the mechanisms governing thermal degradation and the fire behaviour of the LIB technology

2.        Understand international fire incident datasets on EVs and other LIB's stationary and mobile applications regarding terminology and collection methodology to evaluate fire risk, consequences, and influencing factors

3.        Evaluate current guidelines and regulations about the safety of LIB's stationary and mobile applications to propose updates based on real-fire scenarios

4.        Create resilience and preparedness plans for the maritime industry to prevent fire likelihood and mitigate the consequences of lithium-ion batteries and EV fires.

An interdisciplinary supervisory team composed of experts in data analysis, fire safety, and civil engineering at the University of Liverpool and FRISSBE-ZAG with a track record of international projects and high-quality publications will provide guidance during the PhD.

Application Information

We want all our staff and students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, if you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a master’s degree or equivalent from a reputable university in a relevant subject OR a First in a relevant bachelor’s degree. 

Important Application Process

Please submit your application to the University of Liverpool here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/

Follow the guidance notes here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/

Candidates wishing to discuss the research project should contact the primary supervisor - see supervisor section at top of page.

Those wishing to discuss the application process should contact CDT Manager, Matt Fulton, at the University of Liverpool [n0mescdt@liverpool.ac.uk].