29 Feb 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Hector Fellow Academy- Research Field
Engineering » Materials engineering
Technology » Energy technology- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
Germany- Application Deadline
31 Mar 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Berlin)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
40- Offer Starting Date
1 Jul 2024- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
In Germany, refrigeration comprises 20% of total electricity consumption. Cooling on a small scale, such as that needed for electronic chips, lab-on-chip systems, typically relies on miniaturization-compatible thermoelectric cooling, which, unfortunately, tend to be inefficient. Conversely, cooling on a larger scale, such as for air conditioning and refrigeration, is commonly achieved through conventional vapor compression cooling. However, these systems utilize gaseous refrigerants that can easily escape into the environment, contributing to global warming potential.
A promising alternative to traditional cooling methods is elastocaloric cooling, which leverages stress-induced temperature changes, particularly in superelastic shape memory alloys. Unlike conventional methods, elastocaloric cooling poses no environmental risk associated with refrigerant leakage, as it utilizes solid-state materials. Moreover, it boasts high potential efficiency, with material efficiency approaching the thermodynamic maximum limit. Recognizing its potential, the U.S. Department of Energy and subsequently the EU Commission have identified elastocaloric cooling as the most promising non-vapor-compression technology for future cooling applications.
This PhD position will develop a next-generation high-performance elastocaloric cooling device using microfluidics-based shape memory alloys. Our goal is to upscale the cooling capacity of the device, transitioning from microwatts (mW) to several hundred watts (100 W), while simultaneously enhancing temperature lift to unlock new avenues for sustainable cooling application. This interdisciplinary work is at the interface of materials science, engineering and microtechnology. The project holds particular relevance for various applications, encompassing battery thermal management in electric vehicles, the cooling of critical electronic components, as well as ensuring the safe transport of perishable goods.
The PhD thesis includes the following tasks:
- Characterization of superelastic shape memory alloys (mechanical, thermal, fatigue life)
- Modelling, design and simulation (FEM multiphysics, lumped element modelling)
- Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
- Development, characterization and control of cooling demonstrator variants
- Simulation-based design optimization
In executing this position, the host institute is equipped with an expansive array of state-of-the-art facilities, including a 600 m² clean room, advanced rapid prototyping capabilities like lithography, 3D printing and laser cutting, construction and connection technology labs, as well as various metrology laboratories. A high level of support is provided to ensure that the project progresses seamlessly within the specified timeline. The position is within the ZEco Thermal Lab of Dr. Jingyuan Xu.
This PhD position is funded by the Hector Fellow Academy (HFA). As a recipient of this funding, the PhD student will have the invaluable opportunity to engage in various enriching activities within the HFA, including participation in the yearly symposium, in the networking and training events, and in an annual management module of the Hector School. For more information, please see: https://hector-fellow-academy.de/en/young-scientist-support/ .
Keywords
Elastocaloric cooling; Shape memory alloys; Solid-state cooling; Cooling and Heating; Energy
Contract duration
Four years of funding (3+1, three years with the possibility to extend for one year
Location
Institute of Microstructure Technology/ Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/ Karlsruhe
Starting date
July 2024 or later
Technical contact person
For further information, please contact Dr. Jingyuan Xu, email: [email protected] .
Enquiries
For questions related to the application process, pleasecontact the Hector Fellow Academy Office: [email protected] or check the HFA website https://hector-fellow-academy.de/en/
Requirements
- Research Field
- Engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- MSc in the mechanical engineering field or a related field
- In-depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer, microsystems technology
- Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing
- High proficiency in spoken and written English
- Excellent degree at master's level (HFA criteria: ≤ 1.7 MSc final grade)
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
- Research Field
- Engineering » Materials engineeringTechnology » Energy technology
Additional Information
Benefits
Doctoral students of the Hector Fellow Academy are employed as research assistants for a period of three years. The salary corresponds to the internal regulations at the university of the respective Hector Fellow (according to TV‑L 13, up to 100%, based on the funding rates of the DFG for doctoral students). As a doctoral student you also have 9,500€ as research funding every year at your disposal.
Furthermore, an individual training programme is offered. On training days and networking events, the focus is not only on the acquisition of specialist skills and cooperation with top researchers, but also on further training in management topics, interdisciplinary skills and soft skills. They have the unique opportunity to become part of an interdisciplinary research network.
- Website for additional job details
https://hector-fellow-academy.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/hfa-advertised-phd-…
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Country
- Germany
- City
- Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Postal Code
- 76344
- Street
- Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
https://hectorfellowacademy.applicationportal.org/home.html
Contact
- City
Karlsruhe- Website
http://www.hector-fellow-academy.de/- Street
Schlossplatz 19- Postal Code
76131
[email protected]
STATUS: EXPIRED
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