Introduction
Applications are invited to undertake postgraduate research within the new Ningbo Nottingham International Academy for the Marine Economy and Technology (IAMET), a new centre of excellence for marine-related research and business engagement. The IAMET is collaboration between The University of Nottingham in the UK and Ningbo, China, Zhejiang Wanli Education Group and the Ningbo Municipal Government, and will engage with both local and international companies providing opportunities for collaboration and commercialisation of joint activities in:
1. Robust Port and Services Optimisation
At the 2016 National People's Congress Premier Li Keqiang has warned that China's economy faces a "difficult battle ahead". It was said that key to achieving future growth will be the need to reform inefficient state owned enterprises. This research proposal aims to aid the city of Ningbo in this endeavour by supporting the optimisation of key local industries and services. It is our view that such optimisation will need to be combined with big data in a balanced way. ‘Over-optimisation’ is counterproductive – such solutions ‘break’ too easily when something changes. What is required are robust but efficient solutions that work in an ever changing world of uncertainty and noisy data. Finally, such solutions need to be communicated from computer screens to humans – this requires skilful translation into actual management practises to achieve maximum benefit.
2. Marine advanced materials
Exploring the design and manufacture of marine equipment and materials. Research will also look at materials and structures for vessels, coastal infrastructure, off-shore energy systems as well as corrosion resistant coatings.
3. Marine natural products
Research and development of natural marine products, including using natural biological resources for pharmaceuticals, drug discovery, new materials and sustainable chemicals.
4. Marine environmental management
This examines areas such as the techniques and processes involved in coastal engineering and the development of technologies to remediate marine ecosystems
Scholarships
Applications are invited any of the above areas but with an initial focus on the Polymer Composites group, the Robust Port and Services Optimisation group and the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives research group, with many of the scholarships being linked directly with industry.
Polymer Composites
Composites based on strong stiff fibres are widely used in marine infrastructure due to their potential for low cost fabrication and useful environmental resistance. The same fabrication technologies are applicable throughout the transport industries and this offers exciting opportunities to create strategic capacity in Ningbo to introduce new materials, processes and products that span a range of industries.There are up to eight PhD scholarships to undertake research projects on the following topics (these are for illustration only and we welcome fresh proposals that align with our objectives in other ways):
- Extraction and coating of natural fibres from renewable source
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Surface treatment and in-vitro behavior of novel glass fibres
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Green resin systems and additives based upon marine natural products
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Applications of thermoplastic matrix composites in the marine environment
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Design and innovation capacity in the Chinese composites industry
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Environment-friendly fabrication of large infrastructures
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Environmental resistance of marine composites and coatings
Informal inquiries may be addressed to Professor Chris Rudd chris.rudd@nottingham.edu.cn
Robust Port and Services Optimisation
At the 2016 National People's Congress Premier Li Keqiang has warned that China's economy faces a "difficult battle ahead". It was said that key to achieving future growth will be the need to reform inefficient state owned enterprises. This research proposal aims to aid the city of Ningbo in this endeavour by supporting the optimisation of key local industries and services. It is our view that such optimisation will need to be combined with big data in a balanced way. ‘Over-optimisation’ is counterproductive – such solutions ‘break’ too easily when something changes. What is required are robust but efficient solutions that work in an ever changing world of uncertainty and noisy data. Finally, such solutions need to be communicated from computer screens to humans – this requires skilful translation into actual management practises to achieve maximum benefit.There are PhD scholarships to undertake research projects in the following research areas:
The project will address the following key scientific challenges:
- Data mining/machine learning challenges: large data sets, mixture of data types (including images), data quality and security issues. Data mining will provide input patterns and parameters for the optimisation stage.
- Optimisation challenges: dealing with uncertainty, dynamic problems, large scale optimisation problem. Heuristics and exact methodologies will be tested, new combinations such as simulation and machine learning will pose technical challenges
- Social challenges – users needs to understand and trust the solution methods or they will not use them optimally. We need to find ways how to translate solutions into good management practises
Students will need either a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as engineering, computer science, logistics, supply chain or operations management or related subjects.
Informal inquiries may be addressed to Professor Uwe Aickelin uwe.aickelin@nottingham.edu.cn
Power Electronics, Machines and Drives
High performance electrical machines and drive systems are essential to all future sustainable energy scenarios since they can deliver efficient and flexible conversion and conditioning of electrical energy. They find application in many low-carbon applications including renewable energy generation, smart grids, electric transport (EV, HEVs, rail), aerospace, marine and energy saving motor drives.There are PhD scholarships to undertake research projects in the following research areas:
1. Novel electrical machine topologies for high performance propulsion application.
2. Power electronics converters including high power density converters, modular concepts and health management of electrical drive systems.
3. Electrical machine drives including high power density drives and the integration of electrical machines and power electronics.
4. Design tools and modelling for power electronics, machines and drives.
5. Electrochemical engineering for materials and energy, focusing on the chemistry of electron-driven processes and energy storage.
5a. Electrochemical engineering for marine energy, focusing on the chemistry of electron-driven processes and energy storage.
5b. Liquid salts (e.g. molten salts, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents) from marine resources to support chemical and electrochemical processes for materials, energy and environmental benefits.
5c. Electrochemical technologies for marine applications, particularly in the off-shore environment.
These scholarships are suited to anyone with an interest in the technologies underpinning our future energy and transport systems, and who is keen to tackle key research challenges facing the sector. The projects are multidisciplinary in nature and will be attractive to researchers from a range of science or engineering backgrounds.
Students will need either a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as mechanical or materials engineering, electrical or electronic engineering, physics or a related subject. Prior knowledge of power electronics is not essential and training will be provided as required.
Informal inquiries may be addressed to Professor Chris Gerada chris.gerada@nottingham.ac.uk
Salary/ Package The scholarships are based at The University of Nottingham’s campus in Ningbo, China. They are available from May 2016 for a period of three years, with a stipend of up RMB 3,000 per month (c. GBP 300 per month) and an accommodation allowance of RMB 4,800 per year (c. GBP 480 per year) for local students and RMB 12,000 per year (c. GBP 1,200 per year) for international students. Tuition fees are fully funded and medical insurance is provided.
Applications will be considered until the eight scholarships have been awarded, but potential applicants are urged to apply as soon as possible to maximise their chances of success.
- Teaching assistantships with extra payment may be available for talented PhD students.
- Applications will be considered until all scholarships have been awarded, but potential applicants are urged to apply as soon as possible to maximise their chances of success.
- To apply please send the following by email to PHDAdmissions@nottingham.edu.cn :
- A brief research proposal
- Copies of degree certificate for both undergraduate and postgraduate study (Xueli certificates required for applicants from Chinese universities)
- Official transcripts showing marks for both undergraduate and postgraduate study (in English only, with university’s official stamp on)
- Two references which can be emailed by the referees directly to PHDAdmissions@nottingham.edu.cn
- English proficiency test report (not required for native English speakers)
- A copy of passport-sized colour photograph
- A copy of your passport. For Chinese applicants a copy of ID card is accepted
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