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​​​Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for EV Suspension Systems​​

Doctoral Training Grant Funding Information 

This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with UK Research & Innovation values. For 2025/6, this will be £20,780 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice.

All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status. 

Application Closing Date: 


Midday (UK Time) on Wednesday 17th September 2025 for a start date of 2nd February 2026.

How to Apply 

To apply, please follow the below steps:

  1. Complete the BCU Online Application Form.
  2. Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.
  3. Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference). 
  4. Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s). 
  5. International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

To help support you to complete your application, please consult the frequently asked questions below: 

Project title: ​​​Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for EV Suspension Systems​​ 

Project Lead: ​​Dr. Chitta Saha​

Project ID: ​​04 - 46458250​ 

Project description:

The project aim is to develop a novel electromagnetic (EM) energy harvesting system integrated into the shock absorber of an electric vehicle (EV) for the purpose of battery charging and monitoring. The innovative steps will be associated with the replacement of damping oil within the shock absorber with electromagnetic force, and how the subsequent electrical charge is used in the vehicle. Moreover, sophisticated AI-driven algorithms will be employed to dynamically adjust the EM harvester’s damping parameters in real-time, ensuring maximum energy extraction from harvester while improving ride comfort and vehicle handling.

Anticipated findings and contributions to knowledge:

​​This PhD research will make several original contributions to the field of energy harvesting for electric vehicle (EV) technology and intelligent control systems. The key contributions are as follows: 

  • ​To investigate the battery capacity as well as energy consumption of sensors and monitoring system for Electric vehicle and the prospect of EM shock absorber for EV’s application.  

  • Analyse the frequency spectrum of the vehicle’s acceleration and find out the frequency ranges for optimum suspension performance and user comfortability.

  • ​Develop the analytical and simulation model of the electromagnetic energy harvester for vehicle suspension system using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).  

  • ​Investigate and optimise the innovative structure of harvester for the vehicle suspension system to meet the EVs battery voltage and power requirement. 

  • ​Optimise the EM harvesters integrated with power converter and power management circuits for battery charging and monitoring using AI.  

  • ​Build and test the optimise EM energy harvester for vehicle suspension and verify the model with real measured results. 

  • Integrate EM harvesters with power converter circuits and measure the performance of the harvesters using real vehicle’s acceleration data from suspension for EM. 

Person Specification:

​​Entry Requirements: 

  • ​To apply for our Engineering PhD Research Degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university.  

  • ​Exceptional candidates without a Master’s degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered.  

  • ​We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience.  

​ Essential Criteria: 

  • ​Strong foundational understanding of electromagnetic systems, vehicle dynamics and energy harvesting principles. 

  • ​Competency in numerical modelling and simulation tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, or other Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software. 

  • ​Proficiency in using programming and modelling tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and AI for system simulation and control algorithm development. 

  • ​Some experience in working on hardware prototyping, sensor integration, or electromechanical system design.  

  • ​Demonstrated ability to undertake independent research, with critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to complex engineering systems. 

  • ​Experience with data analysis and signal processing, especially in the context of vibration or acceleration data. 

  • ​Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document research clearly and contribute to academic publications. 

  • ​Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and engage with industry partners, academics, and technicians. 

  • ​Ability to plan and manage project milestones effectively, with strong organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines across a multi-phase research programme. 

​Desirable Criteria: 

  • ​Prior research experience in energy harvesting technologies, vehicle suspension systems, or power electronics will be highly advantageous. 

  • ​Experience in hardware prototyping, sensor integration, or electromechanical system design is a significant plus. 

  • ​Familiarity with AI-driven optimisation techniques such as machine learning, fuzzy logic, or neural networks, particularly in real-time control applications. 

  • ​Understanding of adaptive control systems or model predictive control (MPC) for smart suspension applications 

  • ​Any industrial placement, internship, or project experience in the automotive, EV, or renewable energy sectors would demonstrate applied understanding and readiness for practical testing phases. 

  • ​Any co-authored conference papers or journal articles in related topics will strengthen the candidate’s research profile. 

  • ​A strong personal motivation to pursue doctoral research in sustainable technologies, intelligent systems, or EV innovations, as demonstrated through a compelling statement of purpose or project proposal. 

​This specification ensures that the candidate is equipped not only with strong academic credentials but also with practical skills and a forward-looking mindset necessary to succeed in a multidisciplinary, innovation-driven PhD project.​ 

Overseas applicants:

International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

Additional Information: 

​​The automotive industry has been facing growing concerns about energy efficiency and sustainability in recent years, driven by the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. In particular, electric vehicle (EV) research has encountered significant challenges in making EV charging systems more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and user-friendly. Overcoming these hurdles is crucial to advancing sustainable transportation and protect the planet from the harmful impacts of global warming. This goal aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its consequences). 

​Global efforts to promote sustainable transportation are crucial to achieving these aims. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UK Government have clearly emphasized that both clean energy generation and sustainable transportation are top global priorities. These initiatives are critical in reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously fostering sustainable development. The shift toward sustainable transportation, especially through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, is seen as a key strategy to meet carbon reduction targets. According to recent statistics from the UK Government, transport and power generation accounted for 24% and 21% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020, respectively. Moreover, the transport sector remains the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it remains a critical area for reducing the country's overall carbon footprint. 

​One of the key challenges to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of their charging systems. This is where innovative approaches like energy harvesting offer promising solutions. The project aims to tackle this issue by developing a novel electromagnetic (EM) energy harvesting system that can be integrated into the shock absorber of an EV. The system is designed to capture the energy wasted from the motion of the vehicle’s shock absorber and convert it into electrical power, which can then be used to charge the EV’s battery. 

Contact:

If you have any questions or need further information, please use the contact details below: 

- For enquiries about the funding or project proposal, please contact:chitta.saha@bcu.ac.uk

- For enquiries about the application process, please contact: research.admissions@bcu.ac.uk