Volvo Group, a renowned global manufacturer, is significantly enhancing its research in hydrogen combustion engine technology. This advancement comes with the initiation of PhD scholarships, fostering a new wave of innovation.
Key Highlights:
- Two PhD scholarships will be offered, focusing on hydrogen combustion engine technology.
- Selected students will conduct research at Chalmers University of Technology and Lund University, Sweden, while employed by Volvo Group.
- Recruitment is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
Volvo Group’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is evident in its diverse propulsion technologies. By 2040, the company aims for its products, solutions, and services to be net-zero greenhouse gas emission-enabled. Their portfolio includes battery-electric solutions and significant investments in hydrogen technologies for both fuel cell applications and renewable fuel for combustion engines.
The Significance of Internal Combustion Engines:
- Volvo Group, a pioneer in the automotive industry, advocates for the continued development of the internal combustion engine.
- These engines play a vital role in achieving net-zero emissions across various sectors, including trucks, buses, construction, and marine solutions.
Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Group, emphasizes the need for varied propulsion applications. “The internal combustion engine running on green hydrogen is a high-interest solution, currently under testing in our engine labs and test vehicles,” he says.
The VICE Scholarship Initiative:
- Volvo Group has introduced the VICE scholarship (Volvo Internal Combustion Engine).
- This initiative addresses the decline in public funding for academic research in this field and the consequent waning student interest.
Collaboration with Academia:
- Martin Nilsson Jacobi, President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology, highlights the collaborative environment at Chalmers and its contribution to a fossil-free society through hydrogen combustion.
- Annika Olsson, Professor and Dean of Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, stresses the importance of education and research in future propulsion technologies, especially hydrogen from surplus electricity.
PhD Scholarship Outcomes:
- The successful candidates will be industrial PhD students, conducting research from 2024 to 2029.
- Volvo Group will cover expenses related to research, supervision, and experimentation.
Lars Stenqvist remarks, “Our scholarship is a step towards sustainable transportation and highlights the need for strong industry-academia partnerships in the field of internal combustion engines.”
