Position Description
The main aim of INERRANT is to drive genuine advancements for safe-and-sustainable-by-design materials, to ensure the economical and widespread utilization of safer LIBs in modern society. To realize this, INERRANT is formulating a holistic approach to enhance safety, boost performance and improve fast charging, of Gen 3 LIBs tailored for mobility applications. The pivotal S&T challenges encompass: development of functional materials, design sustainable fabrication and recycling processes and understanding of pertinent interfacial phenomena and degradation mechanisms. Specifically, INERRANT aims to pioneer: (i) innovative (nano)materials combinations for anodes and cathodes; (ii) nanofiber-based architectures for smart-functioning separators able to protect battery flaws; (iii) stimuli responsive electrolyte formulations designed for rapid reactions against external disturbances and mitigate degradation processes at the cathode; (iv) cutting-edge and eco-friendly recycling processes to improve the purity of recovered materials from end-of-life LIBs.
One of the objectives of the project is to develop novel electrolyte formulations to enhance battery safety and performance by improving the impact resistance and mitigate degradation of cathode materials. One of the main directions towards this goal is via the development of safe impact resistant electrolytes that possess a discontinuous shear thickening behavior at low particle concentration. The mechanical response of Gen 3 LIB electrolytes with various additives, will be explored to achieve optimal shear thickening (ST), maintaining or improving electrical conductivity of the composite electrolyte.
Within this framework the selected candidate will explore the rheological properties of complex composite suspensions and yield stress fluids with varying colloidal shapes (sphere, rods, platelets) and interactions, aiming to design impact resistant electrolytes for Li-ion Batteries. Our research plan will include a combination of state-of-the-art rheometry and imaging/microscopy and/or scattering probes (such as rheo-confocal microscopy and light scattering under shear). These will enable us to unravel links between rheological properties with microstructure and particle dynamics. Rheological measurements will also be complemented with in-situ conductivity measurements that will allow further fine-tuning structure and mechanical properties in conjunction with electric properties of the electrolyte suspension
Required Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant field of experimental Soft Matter
- Background in Soft Matter Science and experimental techniques
- Experience in colloidal suspension rheology and data analysis
- Proficiency in English and presentation skills
Application Procedure
In order to be considered, the application must include:
- Completed application Form (Download link to the left)
- Brief CV
- Scanned copies of academic titles
- Reference letters (if required)
- All required forms and documents as layed out in each Job opening description
Any application received after the deadline will not be considered for the selection
Please send your application and all documents to: hr@iesl.forth.gr and cc the Scientific supervisor marked in the left column
