Host: University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Co-supervisor/mentors: B. Minnaert (UAntwerp, BE), C. Alves (HFA, PT)
Required profile: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Communication Engineering, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or equivalent.
Desirable skills/interests: Metamaterials; Simulation engineering and modelling; Energy systems; Electrical and electronic engineering; Mathematical physics; Materials engineering; Systems engineering.
Objectives: Design, modeling, and validation of metamaterial structures using high-power-handling dielectric and composite materials to enhance wireless power transfer efficiency. The DC will design and analyse artificial metamaterials (i.e., artificial magnetic conductors, metasurfaces, and frequency-selective surfaces) to confine electromagnetic fields and reduce leakage. The focus will be on identifying dielectric and composite materials with superior power handling, low dielectric losses, and strong thermal stability. Using full-wave electromagnetic simulations in the software program CST Studio, the most promising solutions will be integrated into practical WPT coils and systems. Experimental validation on a WPT prototype will demonstrate the efficiency and safety benefits of the metamaterial-enhanced system.
Project: Metamaterial design using high-power-handling materials for increasing power transfer efficiency (WP1)
