Researcher in New Protonic and Mixed Conducting materials, Denmark

July 5, 2010

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The Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division at Risø DTU is among the world’s leaders in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) which offer an efficient and environmentally friendly conversion of the chemical energy of hydrogen or reformed fossil fuels into electricity. Our research has focused mostly on cells with oxide ion conducting electrolytes based on zirconium oxide. These systems, however, require working temperatures of 600 °C or above to reach viable power densities. If systems are to be developed for operation at temperatures below this, oxide-based proton conductors will be strong contenders. In addition, materials with both protonic and electronic conduction are permeable to H₂ and have potential applications in H₂ purification for the chemical industry, and in future power plants with CO₂ sequestration.

Job description:
The present project is directed towards improving the transport properties of several of the most promising proton conducting compounds studied today, including recently discovered proton conductors based on niobium as well as more classical materials like barium zirconate, where the challenges are a minimisation of grain boundary resistance as well as processing related complications related to e.g. high processing temperatures. Improvements will be sought through elemental substitution and micro structural manipulation. The compounds will be studied both in the form of bulk ceramic samples and supported thin films.

Tasks:

preparing oxide-based proton conductors
determination of their structural, electrical and electrochemical transport properties
construction and test of prototype fuel cells or other electrochemical devices

Qualifications:

PhD degree in materials science, chemistry, physics, or similar
at least one year of additional research experience at the postdoc level
preferably experience with one or more of the following areas: oxide ceramics, proton conductors and electrochemistry
experience with materials characterization techniques
ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated tasks and to be a part of a large, dynamic group
good communication skills in English, both written and spoken

Application:
We must have your application by 21 August 2010. Please open the link “apply online” and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and a list of publications. Applications should be submitted in English.
Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Contact person:
Senior Researcher Nikos Bonanos, +45 4677 5748

For further information:

Scholarship Tags: Conducting, Denmark, materials, mixed, New, Protonic, Researcher