Optimal energy transfer in nonlinear systems

About the project

In this PhD, you'll investigate how energy can be optimally transferred between subsystems within a nonlinear system. The impact of this project will be significant for vibration mitigation, vibration isolation, and vibration energy harvesting.

Linear dynamical systems are well-understood in the context of tuned mass dampers. However, nonlinear systems and nonlinear mechanisms are considered with a model-specific approach. This relies on perturbation theory, which is valid for weak nonlinearities over finite time.

Targeted energy transfer (TET) is a nonlinear alternative that can also be generalised to multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems. In the traditional TET formulation, the nonlinearities are given for all degrees of freedom, such as cubic order, and the energy-transfer subsystem is tuned to an optimal set of parameters to mitigate unwanted dynamics of the primary system.

There are still areas issues surrounding TET which need to be addressed:

This project will address these issues using machine learning optimization algorithms, such as Surrogate Optimization and methods in nonlinear dynamics.

• the methods used to analyse TET are not applicable to fully nonlinear effects and are infeasible for necessary MDOF systems
• a given nonlinearity in the system may not be optimal, and traditional methods do not scale to explore the full range of potential nonlinear mechanisms
• there is no established framework for fast identification of the optimal nonlinear system for efficient TET from purely experimental data

Dr Daniil Yurchenko

• Nonlinear and Stochastic Dynamics; Stability and Bifurcation; Energy Harvesting; Nonlinear Vibration Mitigation;

Professor Tim Waters

• Wave propagation in structures
• Vibration control
• Vibration based structural health monitoring

Entry requirements

You will need:

• a 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in mechanical engineering or applied mathematics
• excellent programming skills in one of the engineering languages such as Matlab, Python or Julia

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend of £16,062 tax-free each year for up to 3.5 years.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

Applications should include:

• choose programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• choose PhD in Engineering and the Environment (Full time)
• add name of the supervisor (Daniil Yurchenko) in section 2
• a research proposal
• your cv (resumé)
• 2 reference letters
• degree transcripts to date

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Project leader

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Daniil Yurchenko.

Email: d.yurchenko@soton.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 9406

Research areas