Postdoctoral researcher - Formable 3D microbatteries

Development of novel deposition techniques on 3D structured substrates, the integration of the developed electrodes with a suited solid electrolyte and the evaluation in microbattery demonstrators

Microbatteries are extra-small-footprint batteries integrated in an electronic microsystem to provide it with power. The application area stretches from wireless sensors for the internet of things, over smart ingestible and implantable devices for smart drug delivery and diagnostics, to embedded chips on smart cards. Today, each application utilizes a different microbattery technology, and these technologies differ significantly in terms of energy and power density. By applying 3D structured electrodes, the capacity of the microbattery can be extended without compromising the delivered power, effectively combining the advantages of different microbattery technologies. 

A novel type of 3D nanostructured electrode with a unique combination of surface area, porosity, and mechanical stability was developed at imec. This electrode can be used as a current collector for Li-ion battery electrodes by conformally coating the structure with battery active materials. Conformally coating this nanostructure remains challenging, as conventional techniques such as ALD are often cost prohibitive or damaging to the electrode surface (e.g. when applying a plasma during the deposition). 

For this work you can start from imec’s knowledge on thin film batteries and 3D structured substrates. The work will involve the development of novel deposition techniques on 3D structured substrates, the integration of the developed electrodes with a suited solid electrolyte and the evaluation in microbattery demonstrators. Your main activities will take place in the imec labs in Leuven where the state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities of imec and a fully equipped battery lab are at your disposal.

We expect from you as this post-doc researcher:

• Delivering inventive contributions to the development of electrochemical deposition techniques and the cell design of microbatteries
• Setting out the experimental plans to timely achieve the targets defined in the projects
• Discussing and defending these experimental plans with other team members and scientific management
• Timely and accurately executing and analyzing of the experiments of these experimental plans, and that in collaboration with other team members, including researchers, PhD students and process assistants.
• Regular and effective reporting of the progress in the experimental plan to the management of imec and of our partners.
• Daily supervision of PhD, master, and intern students
• Ensuring good practice in the lab and setting up process and characterization protocols in your field of expertise

This post-doc is a fixed-term contract of one year.