Thesis Work - Ageing Factors for Insulation Materials in electric machines in automotive application

About this opportunity - Background

You're about to embark on a challenging and impactful research journey in the field of electrical engineering and electro mobility. Our company is offering a unique Master’s thesis opportunity focused on testing and analysis of insulation materials in state-of-the-art electric machines used in automotive applications. As the pace of development of new electric vehicles is rapid and the application of electric machines in them are relatively new, several aspects are yet not fully understood – especially the lifetime and aging factors of the insulation material. Moreover, new cooling concepts are also under development and their effect on the insulation material is also an unknown. If you are a passionate Master's student with a strong technical background, have affinity for testing, data analysis and creative thinking, this is the perfect project for you.

The Electric Drive department 97700 at Volvo Cars is proud of being responsible for designing and delivering system solutions and functionality for the inverters, electric machine, and transmission, in our electrified vehicles. Our vision is to become “Leading in electrification” and we are aiming to contribute to world class energy efficiency, E-machine functionality, sustainability, customer satisfaction and best performance and drivability, to all our future products. 

Scope of the thesis work

Market competition in electro mobility is growing tougher every year. This forces the manufactures to create new and better products faster than ever before. This has resulted in increase of performance in the drivetrain with higher voltages and higher power densities. Testing and validation if these components are vital to secure a safe and reliable product for the costumer. As this is relatively new field for automotive industry, best practice of design and validation is still developing. In this project you will help us develop new test methods to determine aging factors of the insulation material in our electric machines. 

Objective of the thesis:
•    Literature study: Conduct a thorough review of scientific and technical literature related to insulation materials in electric machines, categorize their aging factors and how to quantify a lifetime for the effected components.  
•    Review current practices: Review current practices and test setups.  
•    Develop test method for lifetime testing: Create test method and design setups based on the literature study and review of current practices. 
•    Perform calibration test and analyze test results: Run the new test method in-house in our test facilities and analyze test results to compare with pervious tests. 
•    Initiate implementation of new test method in next generation machines: Perform a study on how this new test method can be implemented in our next generation electric machines.

What you'll bring

We are seeking a passionate Master's student/s who are studying M.Sc. Electrical Power engineering, Materials engineering, Chemical engineering or similar. Understanding electric machines, knowledge of insulation materials and electric mobility Additionally, attention to detail, a research-oriented mindset, and a commitment to the project are crucial. If you fit this profile and are ready to make a difference in the realm of electrical engineering, we would like to hear from you.
This is a unique opportunity to stand out in the world of research and contribute to the advancement of electrical engineering by development of new and current design concepts and their application. Join us and be part of this exciting thesis project.

Requirements:
•    Final period of the master's degree.
•    Electrical engineering, Materials engineering, chemical engineering students.
•    Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Meritorious:
•    Knowledge of electric machines and their application in electrified vehicles
•    Knowledge insulation materials and their applications.
•    Have an interest in electromobility

Duration

•    The work will start in January 2026 
•    The duration for this thesis work is 20 weeks.
•    30 ECTS (Master academic credits) in agreement with your Thesis Advisor in University
•    This thesis is to be conducted by1 or 2 Students working in pair.