Deadline: 19 Nov. 2012
DTU Nanotech would like to invite applications for a 3-year PhD position within the project “In -situ TEM Studies of Nanowire based Batteries”
Complex processes are taking place in battery systems, degrading or creating nanostructures that over repeated charging cycles reduce battery performance. By using micro and nanofabricated chip systems that enable high resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy on electrically contacted devices, this project will perform detailed studies of nanoscale processes on nanowire and nanostructured electrodes. The chip systems and methods developed in this project can also be used for other types of spectroscopy and microscopy, such as XPS.
Please be aware that the employment of a candidate in this position will be dependent on granting of sufficient financing.
One important case to study is silicon nanowires. Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries, as silicon can react to form Li4Si, providing a significant increase in energy density compared to the graphite anodes used today. However, the very large volume expansion upon lithiation of silicon (3-400%) results in severe degradation and irreversibility when micrometer sized silicon crystallites degrade. Therefore, nanostructuring of silicon anodes is necessary, and it is possible to make efficient anodes based on structures such as silicon nanowires, nanorods and nanograss.
Optimizing the nanowire anodes and several other types of nanostructured electrodes in batteries require detailed information of the processes occurring on the nanostructured anodes and/or cathodes, where the charge and discharge cycles over time modify and degrade the nanostructure and hence the battery performance. This PhD project will develop novel microchip systems primarily to allow in-situ TEM studies of processes, but these can also be advantageous for use in methods such as XPS and x-ray diffraction.
The PhD will be employed in the Molecular Windows group at the Department of Micro and Nanotechnology and a considerable part of the work will be performed at the group of Poul Norby at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, and the Center for Electron Nanoscopy, all at the Technical University of Denmark. The applicant must expect to be working frequently at DTU-Risø.
QualificationsWe encourage outstanding candidates to apply for this position. The ideal applicant has a degree in civil engineering or masters degree within physics, chemistry or microfabrication. Experience with either cleanroom fabrication, transmission electron microscopy, or battery technology is an advantage. The position requires a strong interest in working experimentally and in a cross-disciplinary environment Strong communication skills and the wish to combine research methods from a wide range of scientific fields will be appreciated.
Salary and appointment terms The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD students at DTU. The period of employment is 3 years.
Additional informationAdditional information may be obtained from
Assoc. prof. Kristian Mølhave, krmo@nanotech.dtu.dk, mobile phone +45 2512 6672
Senior Scientist Poul Norby, pnor@risoe.dtu.dk, phone +45 4677 4726.
Director Andrew Burrows, andrew.burrows@cen.dtu.dk, phone +45 4525 6473
DTU Nanotech would like to invite applications for a 3-year PhD position within the project “In -situ TEM Studies of Nanowire based Batteries”
Complex processes are taking place in battery systems, degrading or creating nanostructures that over repeated charging cycles reduce battery performance. By using micro and nanofabricated chip systems that enable high resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy on electrically contacted devices, this project will perform detailed studies of nanoscale processes on nanowire and nanostructured electrodes. The chip systems and methods developed in this project can also be used for other types of spectroscopy and microscopy, such as XPS.
Please be aware that the employment of a candidate in this position will be dependent on granting of sufficient financing.
One important case to study is silicon nanowires. Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries, as silicon can react to form Li4Si, providing a significant increase in energy density compared to the graphite anodes used today. However, the very large volume expansion upon lithiation of silicon (3-400%) results in severe degradation and irreversibility when micrometer sized silicon crystallites degrade. Therefore, nanostructuring of silicon anodes is necessary, and it is possible to make efficient anodes based on structures such as silicon nanowires, nanorods and nanograss.
Optimizing the nanowire anodes and several other types of nanostructured electrodes in batteries require detailed information of the processes occurring on the nanostructured anodes and/or cathodes, where the charge and discharge cycles over time modify and degrade the nanostructure and hence the battery performance. This PhD project will develop novel microchip systems primarily to allow in-situ TEM studies of processes, but these can also be advantageous for use in methods such as XPS and x-ray diffraction.
The PhD will be employed in the Molecular Windows group at the Department of Micro and Nanotechnology and a considerable part of the work will be performed at the group of Poul Norby at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, and the Center for Electron Nanoscopy, all at the Technical University of Denmark. The applicant must expect to be working frequently at DTU-Risø.
QualificationsWe encourage outstanding candidates to apply for this position. The ideal applicant has a degree in civil engineering or masters degree within physics, chemistry or microfabrication. Experience with either cleanroom fabrication, transmission electron microscopy, or battery technology is an advantage. The position requires a strong interest in working experimentally and in a cross-disciplinary environment Strong communication skills and the wish to combine research methods from a wide range of scientific fields will be appreciated.
Salary and appointment terms The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD students at DTU. The period of employment is 3 years.
Additional informationAdditional information may be obtained from
Assoc. prof. Kristian Mølhave, krmo@nanotech.dtu.dk, mobile phone +45 2512 6672
Senior Scientist Poul Norby, pnor@risoe.dtu.dk, phone +45 4677 4726.
Director Andrew Burrows, andrew.burrows@cen.dtu.dk, phone +45 4525 6473
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