Life Cycle Analysis and Carbon footprint Analysis of Structural Automotive Parts

Applications are invited for one full-time PhD Studentships within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering funded jointly by the industry and the Department. The PhD studentship is for a period of three (3) years effective from 1 March 2023 or as soon as possible. The successful applicant will have full tuition fee paid. In addition, a home student will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of £19,668. For a successful overseas student, partial subsidy to living expenditure will be provided, subject to funding availability.

Carbon emissions from cars are a huge contributor to total CO₂ emissions. The average passenger car emits 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ annually. The processing of raw materials for auto-manufacturing is extremely energy-intensive, and manufacturing a new car typically requires the same amount of energy as the lifecycle of driving it. Environmental pressure in response to issues like climate change has resulted in greater transparency within the auto industry. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and tier manufacturers are working to reduce their footprint, through recycled materials and renewable energy, and using innovative process and technologies. However, exact measurement and reporting of the carbon footprint of manufacturing process/techniques and the finished parts, is still not clear. To date it has been difficult to establish a standard carbon footprint of a car’s life cycle because different styles and energy-types have varying levels.

This PhD project jointly funded by Brunel University London and an industrial partner aims to develop practical techniques to calculate the carbon footprint of automotive parts according to the reality of manufacturing facility and process used at the industrial partner. The work includes: (1) General understanding of the manufacturing processes used in the industry; (2) Establishment of a database according to published data and the measured data used in production where application; (3) Definition of a setup model for Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)and carbon footprint for automotive parts made by aluminium and/or steels materials; (4) Correlation and validation of these models using representative parts and different processing routes; (5) Assessment of application of recycled materials and different locations for manufacturing.

Applicants should submit the documents below to be considered. Informal enquires may be addressed to Professor Ji shouxun.ji@brunel.ac.uk or Dr Bin Wang bin.wang@brunel.ac.uk via email.

Eligibility

Applicants will have or be expected to receive a minimum 2:1 or 1^st class degree in Mechanical Engineering, Material Sciences or Manufacturing or Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. A Masters qualification is an advantage but not essential. Applicants must be eligible for home tuition fees either through nationality, residency (living in the UK for at least three years and not wholly for educational purposes) or other connection to the UK.

How to apply

Please e-mail all the documents listed below in ONE PDF file to

cedps-pgr-office@brunel.ac.uk by noon on 28.02.2023:

• Your up-to-date CV;
• A one A4 page personal statement setting out why you are a suitable candidate (i.e.: your skills and experience);
• A copy of your degree certificate(s) and transcript (s);
• Names and contact details for two academic referees;
• Evidence of English language capability to IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all sections), if applicable

Please, remember to put the project title in the subject of your email.

Interviews will take place during March 2023