PhD student position in electric road vehicle cooling fan aeroacoustics

As a PhD student at the Division of Fluid Dynamics, department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, you will work in an open international atmosphere in close cooperation between two Swedish universities and also two major Swedish car and truck manufacturers. By research and teaching at Chalmers, you will gain knowledge and skills within an emerging and promising applied technical area that contributes to positive environmental impact.

Project description
eFans (electric fans) are becoming a crucial component in the new electric vehicles due to the sensitive electric components that require cooling. Meanwhile, due to the low noise level of these vehicles, the fan noise tends to become more audible and new legislations require lower noise level. The ultimate goal of this project is to significantly reduce the eFan noise without compromising its performance. This is to provide sufficient cooling for batteries and other vulnerable electronic components in road vehicles while improving efficiency, driving range, quality and performance. The project has already started with one PhD-student who focuses on the aerodynamic performance of the eFan using CFD as main tool with support from tests. Hence, close cooperation between the PhD-students is crucial.

The project objective is to study the impact of generic disturbances, such as the components present in the under-hood compartment of electric vehicles, and fan clustering (i.e. multi-fans) on the noise generation of eFans for application in cars and trucks. By understanding the noise generation mechanisms, empirical noise models, based on efficient flow simulations (steady state CFD) will be established. This provides fast noise simulation methodologies, which can be used for development of eFans with high efficiency and low noise level. When appropriate, comparison will be made with more advanced computational aeroacoustics. To develop and validate the empirical models, fan aerodynamic performance and aeroacoustic behaviour will be studied using advanced experimental methods.

Working as a PhD student requires a great deal of creativity. Furthermore, the current project involves cooperation between Chalmers and two industrial partners, implying that collaborative and communicative skills will be essential. We, therefore, expect that you have an interest to further develop your competence with regard to project management and the various forms of communication needed (orally and in writing, in meetings, at conferences, between project participants and to stakeholders). The candidate is expected to hold a MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics or equivalent with special interest within relevant fields in aeroacoustics, fluid dynamics, turbomachinery and CFD.

The division has a very strong position in turbomachinery computation and experimental activities. We have invested heavily in experimental equipment and experimental facilities over the last decade and we have a large number of on-going projects with aerospace industry as well as other areas such as transport, energy and also medical area. Computationally we develop in-house codes and use commercial tools allowing the students to learn state-of-the-art methods and also go beyond the understanding that the use of commercial tools can bring. In this project, we intend to combine our turbomachinery expertise with future road vehicle application studies and hope that the applicant will find an open and very exciting learning environment. The work is planned as a PhD project with the PhD-student employed and supervised by Chalmers with co-supervision by KTH, utilizing both partners' research-based academic knowledge, advanced simulation tools and methods, world class experimental facilities and long experience in conducting research in close cooperation with the international aircraft/aerospace industry as well as the Swedish automotive industry.

Contract terms
The position is a full-time temporary employment limited to a maximum of 4.5 years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9169


Application deadline: 31 January, 2021