Development of Advanced Structure and Heat Exchanger for Electric Vehicle Platform

This project focuses on designing lightweight skateboard-type structures for electric vehicles and tubular heat exchangers for the energy storage system to increase the heat transfer capacity in order to achieve more energy efficiency. This is especially important for electric vehicles with many electronic systems, which produce high calorific heat concentrations per unit volume. Electronic devices or circuits in electric vehicles are essential to controlling electric vehicles. Therefore, developing heat exchangers to increase the efficiency of the electrical and electronic systems is another way to reduce energy consumption. This study will investigate the heat transfer and flow characteristics of the refrigerants while changing the phases in the pipe to determine heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, friction factor, and flow pattern in very small pipes and regular pipes. In designing lightweight structures, the focus is on using modern engineering materials, such as composites made from natural fibers, functionally graded and morphing structures to improve load-bearing and energy-absorbing capabilities. This can be achieved through an appropriate optimization process together with strength analysis using the finite element method. The optimization process can reduce design and production costs and increase the strength of the structures or the automotive parts. The knowledge gained from this project will be a starting point for the development of structural parts and heat exchangers for future electric vehicles in Thailand. Moreover, the researchers, students, and entrepreneurs can apply the knowledge from this project in designing other related electric vehicle parts or systems. The project also aims to enhance the capabilities of researchers and entrepreneurs in Thailand to be able to compete internationally.