Sustainable energy management is crucial to mitigating climate change. Roughly 90% of global energy use involves the generation or manipulation of thermal energy, and around 50% of that is wasted. Phase change materials (PCMs) offer the best energy storage density of any thermal storage technology, absorbing and releasing large amounts of latent heat as they melt and solidify.
Recently, our collaborators at the University of Bordeaux, France, have introduced a new range of highly promising PCMs for thermal energy storage and management. This interdisciplinary PhD project will contribute an important step towards using these materials for thermal batteries. The project will create an ultrasound sensing system to monitor the solid/liquid content of the PCM inside a sealed, opaque container at high temperatures. The student will first build and use benchtop experiments which use ultrasonic methods to study PMC behaviour through the melting point at ambient temperatures. They will then design and build experiments for PCM monitoring at high temperatures using ultrasound.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Laura Cobus
Other Supervisor(s): Michael Hayes
Key qualifications and skills
We are looking for a student with a strong background in physics or engineering who enjoys hands-on experimental work and is interested in international collaboration.
A basic understanding of acoustic wave propagation is required. Experience using or controlling sensors or sensor arrays would be helpful, but is not a requirement.
Does the project come with funding
Per annum: Stipend of $32,650 plus PhD tuition fees. The project also has up to $5,000 available for research expenses across the duration of the degree.
Funding duration: Three years (360 points)
Final date for receiving applications
27 October 2026
How to apply
This is a UC Commitments Doctoral Scholarship and applications must be made through the Scholarship Portal in your myUC account. Emailed applications will not be considered. Find out more here: University of Canterbury Scholarship Portal - UC Commitments - Ultrasonic monitoring of phase change materials for thermal batteries
Keywords
physics, engineering, acoustics, ultrasound, materials, thermal, heat, phase change, experimental, sustainability, solar power
