The third AAPS CDT Annual Conference, taking place on 11th-12th July 2024, will focus on the mobility we need for the sustainable future we want. Held on the campus of the prestigious University of Bath, this year's conference continues a run of highly successful events.
The conference will showcase the cutting-edge research conducted by our talented AAPS CDT students and offers you a captivating experience in transdisciplinary research. Attendees will include our rich and vibrant academic and student community, our esteemed industrial partners, and many more. This conference is for anyone eager to explore the forefront of future mobility.
Organised by AAPS students, this year's conference promises an engaging line-up featuring distinguished guest speakers, insightful industrial talks, presentations from PhD researchers, lightning-style talks, and vibrant poster displays. Our focus revolves around the following themes:
Stay tuned, as this website will be regularly updated with more conference details as they are confirmed.
Our conference is organised by 7 AAPS CDT Students, to get in touch with the committee please email aaps-conference@bath.ac.uk
The first day of the AAPS conference will be focused on research talks from three themes:
A lightning talk session and poster session will follow, ending with a conference dinner in Bath city centre.
Professor Richard Burke will open the conference
Abstract: TBC
PhD Topic: Applications to Modelling and Predictive Control: Development and Validation of a Semi-physical One-Dimensional Model for Virtual Engine Strategy Optimization
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
PhD Topic: Understanding, Predicting and Facilitating the Public Acceptability of Environmental Transport Policies Across Demographic Groups
Title: The Use of Large Language Models for Qualitative Research
Abstract: Machine-assisted approaches for free-text analysis are rising in popularity, owing to a growing need to rapidly analyse large volumes of qualitative data. In applied settings, these approaches have promise in providing timely insights into policy perceptions or public sentiment on government action, enabling policymakers to understand their community’s needs. However, current approaches still require expert human interpretation – posing a financial and practical barrier for those in applied settings. For the first time, we propose and validate the Deep Computational Text Analyser (DECOTA) - a novel Machine Learning methodology to automatically analyse large free-text datasets and output concise themes. Building on existing Structural Topic Modelling (STM) approaches, we used two fine-tuned Large Language Models (LLMs) to automatically derive ‘codes’ and their corresponding ‘themes’, as in Inductive Thematic Analysis (TA). To fully automate the process, we designed and validated a novel algorithm to choose the optimal number of ‘topics’ following STM. We demonstrate that this approach automatically derives key codes and themes from free-text data, alongside information about the prevalence of each code, and how prevalence varies with covariates such as age and gender. Each code is accompanied by three representative quotes from the data. Four datasets were independently analysed using a human-only TA approach and triangulated with DECOTA’s codes and themes. We found that DECOTA is significantly faster than human coding, and consistently yields codes in agreement with human coding. The implications for evidence-based policy development, public engagement with policymaking, and tracking public discourse are discussed.
PhD Topic: Anticipating the Environmental Impacts of Automotive: Integrating Future Energy Systems into Prospective Life Cycle Assessment
Title: A thousand life cycle assessments: what we learn about passenger cars
Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to help determine the whole-life environmental impacts of passenger cars. However, LCA of passenger cars has been received significant scrutiny surrounding assumptions on vehicle parameters and fuel mixes. Our work combines the latest vehicle inventories and climate-aligned scenarios for liquid fuels, electricity, and hydrogen to run thousands of scenario configurations in assessing the robustness of LCA outcomes for passenger vehicles.
This session will be chaired by: TBC
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
PhD Topic: Computational Modelling of Hydrogen Combustion in Internal Combustion Engines
Title: Modelling Turbulent Scalar Fluxes for Hydrogen Engine Applications
Abstract: The escalating impacts of global warming demand innovative solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2 ICEs) represent a promising avenue for decarbonizing the transportation sector, offering an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based systems. However, the effective deployment of H2 ICEs hinges on the development of reliable modelling tools that can accurately predict engine behaviors under operating conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) plays a pivotal role in simulating the intricate fluid dynamics within H2 ICEs, with a particular focus on mixture formation and combustion processes. Despite the advancements over the past two decades, existing CFD models often fall short in accurately predicting the mixture formation, and as it goes the combustion process itself, primarily due to complexities associated with turbulent scalar fluxes. This study addresses these shortcomings by conducting detailed simulations of fundamental turbulent hydrogen mixing, extracting critical variables such as the turbulent scalar flux. Employing Symbolic Regression, a machine learning approach, we derive a new algebraic model that enhances the predictability of turbulent scalar fluxes within these engines. The findings not only pave the way for more refined H2 ICE designs but also contribute to the broader field of CFD and sustainable automotive technology, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.
PhD Topic: Structure-preserving numerical methods for battery electrolyte models
Title: Structure-preserving numerical methods for electrolyte models
Abstract: Structure-preserving numerical methods retain at the discrete level some properties of interest possessed by the continuum model (e.g. conservation of mass, positivity of concentrations, energy dissipation laws). In this talk I will discuss structure preservation in the context of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck system of coupled, non-linear partial differential equations. This evolution model describes the interaction between concentrations of different charged particles in the presence of a global electric field, which also evolves with the concentrations. In particular, I will consider the use of discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods, with a view towards stable, structure-preserving discretisations of the extended Navier-Stokes-Poisson-Nernst-Planck model.
PhD Topic: Beyond Predictive Energy Management
Industry Partner: AVL
Title: Energy management optimisation for hydrogen fuel cell bus and variable auxiliary loads
Abstract: Hydrogen Fuel Cell hybrid propulsion systems are an attractive option for the public transport sector in its endeavour to move away from fossil fuels and reduce its carbon footprint. The nature of hybrid electric architectures presents an opportunity to review the energy management strategy to improve attributes such as energy/fuel consumption, lifetime and operational efficiency.
This work uses Dynamic Programming to seek the optimal control of the hydrogen fuel cell over a given bus route while not only considering the power demand of the powertrain, but also the variable auxiliary loading from cabin thermal conditioning while repurposing heat rejected from the fuel cell to heat the cabin.
PhD Topic: Robust Real-Time Thermal Modelling of High-Speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine
Industry Partner: AVL
Title: Transferring Knowledge Between Machine Learning Models
Abstract: TBC
This session will be chaired by: TBC
PhD Topic: A green bond for the finance of low-carbon bus operations
Industry Partner: The Big lemon
Title: Sustainability in Transit: Assessing the Economic Case for Electric Bus Adoption in the UK
Abstract:The decarbonisation of the transport sector is central to the UK’s net-zero strategy. This study
evaluates the economic viability of depot-charged single-decker electric bus fleets by
integrating vehicle, crew, and charging scheduling into a total cost of ownership analysis. Our
results indicate that techno-economic improvements – such as reduced battery cost, longer
battery warranties, and faster chargers – have made electric bus fleets cost comparable to their
conventional diesel counterparts at the same time as eliminating operational complexity. We
conclude that UK Local Transit Authorities (LTAs) should begin to include electrification in
their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and the UK government should reduce, but not
eliminate, the procurement grants available to electric bus operators.
PhD Topic: Shared economy business models: their value to the future of automobile manufacturers
Title: The sharing economy in the automotive industry
Abstract: While the 20th century represented the era of individual car ownership, the 21st century seems to disrupt this inherited system. The new mobility trend prioritises access over ownership, meaning that users get access to a mobility service instead of having a private vehicle. These practices are called car-sharing and carpooling. The main motivations for car-sharing include cost savings for users, reducing carbon emissions, recirculation of goods, increased utilisation of durable assets, and exchange of services. This incoming mobility system is based on an economic system known as the ‘shared economy’. The shared economy has social interactions at its core, integrating activities such as renting, trading, swapping, and borrowing. According to Allied Market Research® (2023), the shared economy market size could grow from US$387.1 billion in 2022 to around US$827.1 billion by 2032. This economic model projects such growth as it offers more affordable solutions for consumers than traditional models do, also technological solutions such as digital platforms enhance accessibility to this model which often is aligned with consumers’ sustainability principles.
PhD Topic: Large employers as catalysts for the promotion of low-carbon transport behaviour among employees
Title: Workplace interventions for low-carbon transport behaviours
Abstract: TBC
AAPS CDT students will present a series of lightning talks
Edgar Romero - Additive manufacturing of heat exchangers - What have we learned?
Paloma Rodriguez Santana - Structural Batteries
Mac Geoffrey Ajaereh - Ultrasound non-destructive testing for lithium-ion battery state of charge predictions
Yuqiang Lin - Multi-camera vehicle tracking in urban environment
Taif Aljebory - TBC
Mark Butcher - Superconductivity in electric motors: Applications
Ruth Gibson - TBC
Eymen Kilic - TBC
Cosmin Mudure - Freight and Courier Ecosystem and its Future within WECA
Miles Rivett - TBC
Julian Wilkinson - Life cycle assessment of supplying hydrogen to large transport vehicles
There will be a poster session from AAPS CDT Students to showcase the breadth of research.
Dmitry Leshkov - Inclusive Design of Mobility Services: A Comparative Study of Neurodivergent User Requirements
Catherine Naughtie - Expert perspectives on road user vulnerability: findings from a mixed methods study of UK transport professionals
Constantinos Liagas - Dual Drive Hexverter based Battery Energy Storage System for Light Duty Automotive application
Onur Tokkan - Design and Development of a Electrical Buggy
Rita Prior Filipe - Modelling Tool for Assessing the Feasibility of a Regional MaaS
Alex Fritot - Parameter Identification and Internal State Estimation of a PEM Fuel Cell Model
Joshua Best - TBC
Tara McGuicken - Transport Infrastructure Disruptions as ‘Moments of Change’ for Sustainable Travel Behaviour
Jesse Wise - Exploring Public Discourse Surrounding Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: The Role of Moral Rhetoric and Political Signalling in Social Media
Sam Lockyer - TBC
Oliver Bostock - The Road to Nature Recovery: Implementation of Wildlife Crossings with WECA Region Transport Networks
Chloe Cannon - Adapting Infrastructure for Power-to-X: Enabling Sustainable Mobility Solutions
Matt Hutchins - Lab Sustainability
Nina Patel - Revolutionising Commuting: Converting Your Bike to an E-Bike
Arash Pordel - Driving innovation: The role of AI and digital twins in automotive advancement
Josh Rogers - Rail and Non-Rail Solutions to Abandoned Train Line Reversals
Yue Wang - Transdisciplinary Approaches in Traffic Management for Reducing Congestion
Julian Wilkinson - Life cycle assessment of hydrogen supply pathways
The second day of the AAPS conference will focus on presentations in four themes:
The conference will come to an end with a presentation from the fifth AAPS cohort and prizes.
AAPS CDT students will present a series of lightning talks
Aaron Villoslada Rodriguez - Standardization and Repeatability of Experimentation
Laura Seminati - User Needs during ADS navigation
Aaron Lister - TBC
Faye Sanders - Urbanicity and Transport
An Song - The development of degradation modelling of LIB
Johannes Rohwer - Predicting future health (from a battery point of view)
Chandula Wanasinghe - The Use of Large Language Models in Qualitative Research (very much TBC!)
This session will be chaired by: TBC
PhD Topic: Automation of Verification and Validation Processes through Model-based Systems Engineering
Industry Partner: AVL
Title: Enabling Lean, Evolutionary Vehicle System Development through MBSE Driven X in the Loop Testing
Abstract: In the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive system development, the convergence of increasing customer demands, competitive markets, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and electrification
necessitate a paradigm shift. Traditional hardware-centric methodologies are making way for a software centric approach, where the distinction between products increasingly resides in software configurations rather than hardware specifications. This shift underscores the need for development methodologies that facilitate early verification and validation of new system capabilities that are redefining the customer experience. This work addresses a notable industry challenge: the underutilization of 'X in the Loop' (XiL) testing methodologies, crucial for aligning development processes with the demands of virtualization product development in automotive engineering. Despite its potential, the industry has faced difficulties in leveraging XiL fully, primarily due to the conventional late-stage planning and design of verification procedures. We present a novel approach to propulsion system VVT demonstrated using an autonomous mobile robot. This method leverages MBSE artifacts generated from the early phases of the system development process, including operational, functional, and structural analyses. This facilitates the definition of verification procedures for varying functional maturity levels across system life cycle stages through the strategic use of co-simulation (XiL) capabilities, demonstrating a significant shift towards continuous system verification and validation. Further eliminating product development waste and reducing overall development costs, our research underscores the transformative potential of Virtual Development Methodologies and Digital Engineering and paves the way for future investigations into their synergistic integration.
PhD Topic: Non-contact driver attentiveness detection system
Industry Partner: Infineon Technologies AG
Title: From Exterior to Interior: The Role of mm-wave Radar in Interior Sensing
Abstract: In recent decades, radar technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the automotive sector mainly for exterior sensing, functioning as a sensor for short to long range in the ADAS. However, its potential for interior sensing remains largely untapped until recent years. On the one hand, due to the advancements in electronics, off-the-shelf mm-wave radars could offer unprecedented definition, making it possible to capture useful information in highly complex interior environments. On the other hand, the regulatory pressure of mandating DMS/OMS further propelled relevant studies. This presentation explores the transformative role of mm-wave radar in interior sensing from the perspectives of regulation, technology, and applications, highlighting the opportunities and challenges in this field.
PhD Topic: Swappable Hydrogen Storage for Low-Carbon Road Transport
Title: Swappable Hydrogen Refuelling and Inherent Safety
Abstract: Refuelling of emerging alternative fuel vehicles can present new challenges for designers and operators requiring significant capital investment, research and development to overcome. An unexplored option of refuelling hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles may provide a solution to many of the challenges facing conventional approaches. One aim of this new approach is to increase user and operator safety through a range of means, particularly by distancing the user from any potential hazards. The principles of Inherent Safety and developing good design practice via a systems thinking approach will be touched on.
This theme will be chaired by: TBC
Biography page
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
PhD Topic: Advanced Air Supply and Energy Recovery Systems for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Industry Partner: Cummins Turbo Technologies
Title: Turbocharger Platforms for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Abstract: Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are a prominent research area due to their potential to help decarbonise the transport sector. Air supply systems for FCEVs are a significant enhancer of fuel cell stack efficiency but can also consume around 25% of the stack power, as established in the literature. Various types of energy recovery and turbocharging are being developed to attempt to offset this, inspired by their application in ICEs. For fuel cell vehicles, however, turbochargers operate in very different conditions, so cannot simply be re-applied from ICEs. In this study, five types of air handling systems are assessed over a range of fuel cell operating conditions. E-compressors, fixed-geometry e-turbos, and e-VGTs (both coupled and decoupled) are modelled with a range of stack inlet pressures, stack pressure drops, and air mass flow rates. These three parameters have great influence on air management system efficiency and represent a significant degree of uncertainty for air handling requirements. Isolating the effects of these parameters by numerical modelling may reveal specific use cases and applications for each air system platform type. A critical comparison of coupled and decoupled turbocharger configurations can be made by assessing their performance across a wide range of typical fuel cell operating points. Stack inlet pressure in particular is predicted to be significant, given its theoretically strong impact on the demands of the compressor and the conditions the turbine is exposed to. The outcomes of this work will allow FCEVs to be designed with more tailored air systems instead of re-using those from ICEs, improving their efficiency. Doing so could improve their viability as a vehicle powertrain option, increasing their uptake and contributing to the reduction of the transport sector’s environmental impact.
PhD Topic: Experimental and Theoretical Modelling of Heat Transfer in Aero-engine Compressors
Industry Partner: Rolls Royce
Title: Exploring Earth's Spin and Flow: How Rotation and Buoyancy Shape Our World
Abstract: The interplay between rotational and buoyancy-induced flows profoundly influences a myriad of weather phenomena on Earth. The Coriolis effect, stemming from the planet's rotation, plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction and strength of global wind patterns. This, in turn, dictates the movement of air masses, leading to the formation of high and low-pressure systems, fronts, and storms. Buoyancy-driven flows, driven by temperature and density variations, further modulate atmospheric dynamics, giving rise to convective processes such as thunderstorms and hurricanes. These buoyancy-induced flows are responsible for vertical motion within the atmosphere, facilitating the transport of heat, moisture, and energy, which are essential ingredients in the formation and intensification of weather systems. Additionally, interactions between rotational and buoyancy-driven flows contribute to the development of atmospheric instability, enhancing the likelihood of severe weather events such as tornadoes and heavy precipitation. Overall, the intricate interplay between rotational and buoyancy-induced flows shapes the rich tapestry of weather phenomena observed across the globe, profoundly impacting our daily lives and societal well-being.
PhD Topic: Methanol Internal Combustion Engine Development for Marine Applications
Title: Investigation of methanol and methanol-gasoline fuelling for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine for small hybrid marine vessels
Abstract: Methanol is a promising fuel for decarbonising the marine propulsion sectors because of its possibility to be produced as a bio-fuel or from renewable hydrogen, and its favourable physical and combustion properties (e.g., energy density, easy to handle, fast burning velocity, high knock resistance). The Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrain (CHAMP) 2 project funded by Innovate UK focuses on the development of a modular platform for hybrid small marine vessels ranging from light leisure to full time work boat applications. Concerning the internal combustion engine (ICE) considered for the propulsion, possible adaptation of existing engines to run with methanol is explored. In particular, this works focuses on the investigation of a naturally aspirated 8-cylinder 6.2 litre spark-ignition (SI) engine equipped with port fuel injection and fuelled with pure bio-methanol and bio-methanol/gasoline blends. Different engine operating points along the propeller curve are being investigated and engine performances and emissions at different air-fuel ratios are evaluated to quantify the potential benefits in terms of efficiency and emissions associated with methanol operation. Methanol fuelling shows approximately 8 to 20% improvements in terms of efficiency for different torque requests across the propeller curve while at the same time requiring a lower intake pressure. Additionally, methanol fuelling results in a reduction of NOx emissions between 30 and 60% while also reducing CO2 emissions. A blend of 50-50% methanol-gasoline shows already about more than two thirds of the benefits that pure methanol achieves in terms of efficiency and NOx emissions. The results show the potential of methanol usage in the small marine vessel sector to improve performance while reducing emissions.
This theme will be chaired by: TBC
PhD Topic: High-fidelity spatiotemporal modelling of electric vehicle charging demand at the distribution network scale
Title: A Novel Bayesian Framework for Mapping EV and Charger Adoption to Low Voltage Networks using Open Data
Abstract:Existing research on EV and charger adoption at the low voltage (LV) distribution substation level often neglects to address uncertainty in both the data and its mapping from administrative areas to the distribution network. In response, we introduce a novel modelling framework that combines a variety of open datasets to produce probabilistic estimates for current and historical EV and charger adoption at the distribution substation level. Empirical Bayes and beta-binomial Bayesian methods quantify and propagate uncertainty in these estimates, providing a comprehensive understanding of historical adoption trends. Our model significantly advances the estimation of active private residential EV chargers for distribution substations through its ability to generate probabilistic estimates, which can better inform decision-making compared to prior models. Our framework equips distribution network operators with a valuable tool to help inform strategic network investments, setting a new benchmark in EV adoption modelling to support the transition to a more sustainable transport sector.
Title: The Pace-o-meter: How better metrics can improve our transport systems
Abstract: When people design transport systems they use metrics to represent their design, objectives and communicate performance. These are metrics like speed, time, reliability, risk, cost and so on. This talk uses the example of the pace-o-meter - a novel form of vehicle speedometer - to show how such metrics shape people’s transport behaviour and the wider transport system.
Further examples seek to disrupt the commonplace understanding of reality as entirely distinct from perception, while demonstrating that even transport professionals (like engineers, planners and policymakers) are liable to have their judgement shaped by how information is framed and explained.
A central conclusion follows Goodhart’s Law ‘when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure’ to show how well-intentioned metrics and targets change behaviour in perverse ways, because we try to satisfy the metric rather than improve the thing it is measuring. Consequently, a diversity of measures are needed to achieve balanced outcomes.
The talk has relevance for transport safety, decarbonisation, user centricity and design.
PhD Topic: Autonomous Anomaly Detection and Self-healing in a smart test environment
Title: Evaluating data quality with machine learning and behavioural science.
Abstract: TBC
This theme will be chaired by: TBC
Biography page
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
PhD Topic: Investigating the affect DC ripple current has on lithium-ion cells
Industry Partner: AVL
Title: Transient Behaviour of Lithium-ion Batteries
Abstract: Batteries in general were originally of invented and of interest to researchers with a chemistry background, due to their understanding of the inherent processes happening. However, with the current electrification of modern society, and the widespread uses of lithium-ion batteries in particular, they are know widely being used and applied in the real world by mechanical and electrical engineers who often treat batteries as a black box. This has led to a large disconnect in the battery design and research sphere, to were they're actually applied. My results show how improvements have been made that were completely ignored until trying to understand how cells react to transient signals that exist in modern electric vehicles.
PhD Topic: Knock in Direct Injection Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines
Industry Partner: JLR
Title: Chemical Kinetic Mechanism Development Using Particle Swarm Optimisation
Abstract: In order to reach Net Zero by 2050, the internal combustion engine needs to be decarbonised. One of the possible pathways to achieve this is by using hydrogen as a fuel. In order to extend the operating limits of existing and future hydrogen engines, there is a need for accurate predictive combustion and autoignition models in the 0/1D domain. However, these models are reliant on chemical kinetic mechanisms to generate laminar flame speed and ignition delay time data, which have shown mixed predictive accuracy. Therefore, this talk will cover the process of developing a new chemical kinetic mechanism for hydrogen oxidation focusing on accurately predicting the ignition delay time at internal combustion engine-relevant thermochemical conditions.
PhD Topic: Chemical vapor deposition for advanced lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors
Title: Lithium Sulfide Thin-film Fabrication Through Aerosol-assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition
Abstract: With increasing need for better energy storage options, due to ever-growing energy demands, the current state-of-the-art is just not enough. A promising avenue for the technology explores the use of lithium sulfide (Li2S), as part of the battery. It has the potential to store up to roughly three times the energy than what is currently used. It also has the potential to provide an avenue for safer batteries. However, there is a slight stumbling block. Before using the battery, it would need to be charged with a greater energy than usual, because of the material’s properties. One way to potentially navigate around this is through the use of a technique called aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AA-CVD). This method allows for control over how the material is built up which could help with the over-charging issue.
This talk will convey how this method (AA-CVD) is being used to make thin-films of lithium sulfide, with the ambition of finding the best conditions to make the films so that they can be better used in batteries.
The student committee will officially close the annual AAPS Conference, and award the prizes for the best student talk and best student poster.
We are in the process of looking for sponsorship to support this conference.
Please get in touch with one of the student organisers, through emailing aaps-conference@bath.ac.uk if you would be interested in supporting this conference.
© Copyright 2024 AAPS CDT, Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems at the University of Bath
