PhD-Position in Material Science on “Phase-Field Modeling of Sintering and Interdiffusion Phenomena in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin-film Solar Cells”, Belgium
Job Description: Today, electric power generation by solar energy conversion using photovoltaic (PV) cells is still five to ten times more expensive than conventional forms of electricity generation. To become of commercial interest, the currently most common production route of photovoltaic cells with vacuum deposition and high temperature processing must be replaced by wet deposition combined with a mild sintering step. In the latter approach, first a precursor layer is deposited on the glass + Mo substrate which is subsequently transformed into a CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se2) film during annealing at 400-600 °C.
Duration: 4 years, starting from September 1, 2010
The main purposes of the PhD are (1) to model and simulate the sintering processes, interdiffusion and grain coarsening in the CIGS layer during the annealing step using the phase-field technique, and (2) obtain a systematic understanding in the effect of certain material and process parameters on the final microstructure of the CIGS absorber layer by means of phase-field simulations. The simulations will be performed on the Flemish Supercomputer (https://vscentrum.be/nl/en). We have large experience in phase-field modeling in the research group (see http://nele.studentenweb.org/ and http://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Research/THERMO/micro.php) and a parallel implementation on the Flemish Supercomputer for large scale simulation of grain growth is available. One of the tasks during the PhD will be to extend this implementation with a model for diffusion and rigid body motion necessary for annealing and sintering simulations of the CIGS layer.
Framework: SIM project “SOPPOM – Solution based processing of photovoltaic modules”, in which several Flemish Universities, research institutes and industrial partners are involved. The modeling and simulation work will be performed in close collaboration with experimentalists within the project; there will be exchange of information continuously throughout the project.
Further Details Contact: nele.moelans@mtm.kuleuven.be
Or apply for this project on
http://phd.kuleuven.be/set/voorstellen_departement?departement=50000498
Further Scholarship Information
Scholarship Tags: Belgium, Interdiffusion, Material science, PhD position
Scholarship Search
Important: Scholarship-Positions.com is not responsible for the content of any external websites linked to or referenced on this site.
Browse Scholarships
- Africa Scholarships
- Australia Scholarships
- Austria Scholarships
- Belgium Scholarships
- Canada Scholarships
- China Scholarships
- Denmark Scholarships
- France Scholarships
Recent USA Scholarships
The AIA Society Outreach Grant Program at Archaeological Institute of America, 2012 USA The Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship for International Students at AIA, 2012 USA 2013 Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, USA International Leaders in Education Program for Indian Teachers, 2013 USA 2012-2013 Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship and Thomas H. Miller Awards, USARecent UK Scholarships
Kingston University Undergraduate International Scholarships, 2012 UK Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS) for Non-EU Applicants at University of York, 2012 UK Scholarship for Overseas Students (SOS) at University of York, 2012 UK Kingston University International Postgraduate Scholarships, 2012 UK 2012 Donner Scholarship at University of Cambridge, UKRecent Germany Scholarships
CGS Interantional Scholarships for Doctoral Program at University of Cologne, 2012 Germany Max F. Perutz International PhD Programme in Chromosome Dynamics, 2012 Germany PhD Positions in NanoBioTechnology at Center for NanoScience LMU, 2012 Germany PhD in Life Sciences at The International Giessen Graduate School for the Life Sciences, Germany Germany Postgraduate Training Program – 2012 Cycle (PhD studies in Germany)Recent India Scholarships
Kingston University Postgraduate Scholarships for Indian Students, 2012 UK 2013 Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, USA Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program for Indian, 2013 USA 2013 Fulbright-Nehru Senior Research Fellowships for Indians, USA 2013-2014 Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program for US and Indian Students, USA and IndiaWomen Scholarships
Sloan MSc Women’s Scholarship at London Business School, 2013 UK 2012-2013The Saint Paul College Club, Inc. AAUW Undergraduate Scholarship, USA 2012 L’Oréal Canada for Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowships, Canada 2012 Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship at American Statistical Association to Study in USA, Canada 2012 Women in Games Scholarship at Vancouver Film School, CanadaAfrica Scholarships
2012-2013 South Africa Investec Scholarship for MBA Students, UK 2012-2013 Mandela Magdalene College Scholarship for South Africa, UK 2012 Call for Proposals: Grant Awards for Global Environmental Change Research, Africa CARTA Call for Applications for PhD Fellowships 2012-2013, Africa Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund Research Fellowship, 2012 AfricaScholarship Blog
Useful Links
Search in Worldwide UniversitiesOxford Laboratory Technology
Search Courses in Indian Universities
IndiaJobs.co.in, India Jobs Employment, Recruitment, Careers, Interview
Teaching, Professor Jobs in India
GRE Prep and Free Courses