Research team
Expertise
Energy use plays a central role in today’s climate challenges, pushing society to reduce emissions and shift from fossil fuels toward broad electrification. Buildings increasingly rely on heat pumps, and transportation is moving from combustion engines to electric drivetrains. As electrification accelerates, the demand for more compact and efficient electromechanical systems continues to rise. Improved heat removal enables these systems to become more power dense, and therefore more compact and sustainable, or to operate at lower temperatures, making them more efficient, reliable and robust. Using my expertise in thermal management, electric drivetrains, thermo-fluid dynamics and two-phase heat transfer, I focus on the development and analysis of advanced cooling approaches, particularly direct cooling and evaporative two-phase cooling with refrigerants, to enhance thermal performance in electric machines, power electronics and batteries. Through thermohydraulic modelling and experimental methods, I investigate the fundamental heat transfer mechanisms that govern these cooling concepts. Driven by the potential of heat pump technology, I aim in my current research to support the development of more efficient compressor electric machines by applying advanced two-phase cooling, contributing to more sustainable energy systems.
Advancements in two-phase flow and heat transfer for sustainable energy systems.
Abstract
The challenge consists of drafting a research proposal in the field of two-phase flow and heat transfer for sustainable energy systems. The goal of this proposal is to improve the fundamental understanding of one or multiple of the physical processes occurring in these systems, thereby allowing more efficient and sustainable design and operation. The research has to use a novel method and can either be through simulations (original modelling methods) or experiments (innovative measurement techniques). This proposal (and the candidates full CV) should be submitted through a written paper of maximum two pages, containing a brief context, the main challenges, objectives and short methodology. This document will allow for an evaluation of the candidate's ability to write academic research proposals and will demonstrate whether the candidate has sufficient insight into the latest advancements in the research domain. The limited length of the document will also allow an evaluation of the candidate's ability to clearly and concisely communicate the main ideas and goals of the proposal. After a preselection of the candidates based on the proposal and CV, an interview will be organized for the remaining candidates. During this interview, the candidate will present and defend his research proposal in front of a selection committee consisting of ZAP and postdoc members of the research group. This will allow to evaluate the candidate's language and presentation skills as well as the candidate's ability to defend a research proposal before a critical jury. After the presentation, the candidate will be questioned and challenged both on the project content (methodology, feasibility, risks) and his personal motivation and competences. After the interview, the candidates will be ranked based on the quality of the proposal, the potential added value of the candidate to the research group and the alignment of the project with the research line.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: T'Jollyn Ilya
- Co-promoter: Verhaert Ivan
- Fellow: Nonneman Jasper
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project