3 PhD Positions, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands (2018)

The Eindhoven University of Technology has 3 PhD positions Manipulating Crystal Hydrates / Porous Materials for Heat Storage

Thermal Energy Storage / Fifty percent of our daily energy usage is in the form of thermal energy. In view of the energy challenges ahead of us, compact heat storage could offer opportunities to bridge the mismatch between availability and consumption of energy. Inorganic crystal hydrates and nanoporous materials (zeolites, MOF's) have the potential to be used as storage media. Whereas in a crystal hydrates heat storage and discharge happens via (de)hydration reactions, water (de)sorption plays a key role in nanoporous materials.

Challenges / At the Eindhoven University of Technology the project Mat4Heat will start, that addresses three challenges.

Dope the crystal hydrates such that the transitions better fit the applications. In order words: manipulate the phase diagram such that charging/discharging temperatures and pressures are closer to the use conditions.
Stabilize the crystal hydrates to prevent pulverization and deliquescence. The hydrates undergo volume changes during (de)hydration cycles.
Manipulate nanoporous materials such that they are more easily dehydrated. For example, zeolites easily absorb water and generate heat. The challenge is to regenerate the materials again.

Project aim and description / Each of the PhD will address one of the three challenges described above. Therefore the project Mat4Heat aims for making new materials and study the physical-chemistry of these materials. Either doped crystal hydrates will be made, or organic-inorganic composites of crystal hydrates will be made, or nanoporous materials will be impregnated. The mechanisms of (de)hydration will be studied with techniques like NMR, XRD and Thermo Analytical instruments to monitor and visualize the water dynamics during phase changes.

Working location / The work will be done in the group Transport in Permeable Media (TPM) at the Applied Physics department of the Eindhoven University of Technology. The lab of TPM has NMR imaging facilities, XRD and Thermo Analytical instruments to monitor and visualize the water dynamics during phase changes. The project is embedded in a large national program Mat4Sus and intensive cooperation with TNO (the Dutch Organization for Applied Research) is foreseen.

Requirements
Do you have a MSc degree in physics, chemistry or material science?
Do you have a background in crystal growth and/or solid state chemistry?
Do you have experiences with advanced experimental techniques like NMR?
Does developing a novel material challenge you to get dirty hands in the lab?
Do you dream of contributing to a breakthrough in the area of renewable energy?
Do you have good programming skills (Matlab, C, C++)?

Further details:
3 PhD Positions, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands (2018)