Mr Alireza Moshtael (he/him)

Research Project Title: The Underpinning mechanics of advanced manufacture of copper coils for electric machines. 

Electrical machines are crucial components in many of the key technologies for achieving net zero, from electric vehicles to industrial drives. The efficiency and performance of these motors is closely linked to the manufacture and subsequent in-service thermal management of their copper windings. Despite coil manufacture being an important industrial process, the underpinning understanding of mechanics and mechanical behaviour remains surprisingly rudimentary. This research project aims to investigate the fundamental mechanics of coil forming in copper windings using a combination of computer simulations and experimental trials. Analytical and numerical models will be used to determine the effects of plastic deformation on the as-manufactured geometry and electrical properties of windings including putting the understanding of spring-back behaviour on a sound scientific footing.