Organisation/Company: La Rochelle Université
Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering, Engineering » Thermal engineering, Physics » Thermodynamics, Chemistry » Structural chemistry
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: France
Application Deadline: 30 Nov 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Offer Starting Date: 3 Feb 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description PhD title: Study of the durability of architectured ceramics elaborated by 3D printing integrating a phase change material for medium and high temperature thermal energy storage
Why not join a daring and innovative university?
Since its creation in 1993, La Rochelle University has been on a path of differentiation. Thirty years later, as the university landscape recomposes itself, it continues to assert an original proposition, based on a strong identity and bold projects, in a human-scale establishment located in an exceptional setting. Anchored in a region with highly distinctive coastal features, La Rochelle University has turned this singularity into a veritable signature, in the service of a new model. Its research is focused on the theme of Urban, Sustainable and Intelligent Coastlines (LUDI).
The new recruit will join the Laboratory of Engineering Sciences for the Environment (LaSIE, UMR 7356 CNRS, La Rochelle) .
The laboratory's activities cover the following fields of application:
Durability and protection of materials under environmental constraints,
Quality of living environments,
Eco-processes for product quality and energy recovery from bio-resources.
The PhD candidate will work in a collaborative environment at the interface between two research groups focused on (i) Durability, Microstructure, Protection and Coatings and (ii) Sustainable Buildings and Cities: energy and comfort in LaSIE. The research activities will be focused on (i) the relationship between microstructures and properties of materials, (ii) degradation and corrosion mechanisms of materials employed in thermal energy storage systems, (iii) materials protection and coatings and (iv) prediction of heat and mass transfers in materials and thermal energy storage systems.
Context and research project
Thermal energy storage has a major role to play in the coming decades for the recovery of industrial waste heat and the indirect storage of electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources. The performance of an energy storage system depends on the material and its integration into a system, so particular attention must be paid at the material scale. The design and commercialisation of these storage systems require the upstream development of new materials with improved properties. As part of the proposed thesis, innovative heterogeneous materials will be developed: architectured ceramics integrating a phase change material (MCP). The main objectives of the thesis will be the development, characterization (thermophysical, chemical, physical and structural) and durability of ceramic matrices produced by 3D printing integrating an MCP for the storage of thermal energy at medium and high temperatures covering needs ranging from 150 to more than 800°C.
The original approach of the thesis aims to develop methodologies for (i) multi-material compatibility studies (ceramic-inorganic salt-metal), (ii) optimised thermo-physical analyses for the characterisation of heterogeneous materials and (iii) accelerated aging of ceramic modules obtained by 3D printing coupled with multi-scale characterisation. The methodologies proposed in the thesis will be of great interest to the scientific community with the main objective of determining the key parameters influencing the durability of materials to optimise their integration into thermal energy storage systems. This project will contribute to the deployment of thermal energy storage systems minimising environmental impact (preservation of resources, durability of structures) and ensuring the comfort of populations, greater energy efficiency and security of energy supply.
This thesis project aims to answer these scientific and technological questions through an integrative and interdisciplinary approach. Innovative architectural materials will be mainly developed for the recovery of waste heat and the management of renewable heat.
The person recruited for the thesis will participate in the following activities:
Characterisation and selection, or even development if necessary, of inorganic phase change materials for thermal energy storage at medium and high temperatures;
Development and in-depth characterisation of heterogeneous architectural ceramic/MCP materials using sustainable and innovative processes;
Development of experimental methodologies for multi-material durability tests;
Study of the compatibility between ceramics and inorganic PCMs;
In-depth characterisation of phase transitions and heterogeneous reactions at the micro-scale, size and wall effects;
Presentation of scientific results during project progress meetings, national and international conferences;
Writing project progress reports and scientific articles;
Participation in various meetings of the regional research network R3 TESNA (Energy Transition in Nouvelle Aquitaine).
36-month PhD contract based in La Rochelle (17) at LaSIE (UMR CNRS 7356).
Salary: €2200 gross per month, rising to €2300 gross per month from 01/01/2026.
You are registered with the Doctoral School for the duration of your contract and benefit from the DS's training offer, in particular cross-disciplinary activities such as MT180, the doctoral students' colloquium, etc.
Recruitment open to anyone with a RQTH (Qualified Health and Disability certificate).
75% contribution to home to work public transport costs
Sustainable mobility package for the use of a cycle/carpool for home-work journeys. Partner KLAXIT
Mutuelle participation of €15/month
Sport, leisure and cultural activities for all employees
Selection process
How to apply?
Your application must include:
detailed curriculum vitae
copy of highest diploma
This application must be submitted via the dedicated application form available by clicking here (Job reference: RECH/LaSIE/24-003 ).
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR THOSE SENT BY E-MAIL WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Laboratory of Engineering Sciences for the Environment (LaSIE, UMR 7356 CNRS, La Rochelle)
Country: France
City: La Rochelle
Postal Code: 17000
Street: Pôle Sciences et Technologie, Avenue Michel Crépeau
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