Personalised Cooling

Summary

Personal Cooling is becoming a health requirement in offices and other work places as climate change impacts ambient summer temperatures leading to higher internal building temperatures than originally predicted during design and construction.

Also changes to workplaces have increased internal gains through the use of IT and other equipment. To avoid a need to retrofit expensive (and energy consuming ) air conditioning to a building, this project seeks to review and develop efficient, low cost, personalised cooling systems, which can be deployed in a workplace by facilities managers. These devices can be charged with coolth overnight using cheap grid electricity, and used to cool local working environments.

The work will involve assessing materials which will be useful in storing thermal energy.

A good understanding of the physics of air flow and heat transfer is required for this project. An understanding of thermal comfort is desirable. The work will involve experimental analysis using Particle Imaging Velocimetry. Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics will be desirable.

The work will also involve techno-economic analysis to determine their financial viability and sustainability will be measured using circular economy principles.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period