Post-doctorat Membraneless electrolysers based on bubble dynamics for H2 production (M/F)
Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
CDD
Temps-plein
Il y a 1 mois
Offer DescriptionThe production of dihydrogen is being actively considered as an alternative energy source, both for its energy storage capacity and for its green production when it comes from water splitting, especially if the primary energy is renewable. One of the main difficulties in developing a low-pollution technology is the dynamics of the H2 and O2 bubbles that are produced. These bubbles interact and affect the purity of the produced gases, making them unsafe to transport. In such systems, a membrane is placed between the electrodes to prevent interaction between bubbles, in order to promote gas purity, and also to prevent the electrodes from being too far apart to enhance the efficiency. These membranes are made from materials known to be polluting and have short lifetimes due to clogging. A paradigm could therefore be to design electrolyzers without membranes. We have recently shown that it is possible by understanding and harnessing bubble dynamics in the design of the electrodes using a bubble dynamics model. Our proof of concept investigation opens up the potential for a technological breakthrough through the development of membraneless electrolyzers. Although we have recently filed a patent on this major result, the technology is still in its infancy and requires both technological and fundamental development. In the context of the CNRS prematuration program, we want to develop a prototype (a complete system) to demonstrate the technological viability of our invention, and carry out quantitative experiments to compare the performance of different electrolyzersAt the stage of the project, it is absolutely essential to design a complete electrolyzer including the elementary electrolytic cell (based on microtechnologies), the power supply (including packaging), recovering the gases produced and analyzing the gas products (using spectrometric facilities). The post-doc aims at providing a demonstrator previously to a maturation.This work is performed in the context of a CNRS prematuration, in close collaboration with Laurent Courbin at IPR and Hamid Ben Ahmed from IETR/ENS-Rennes. The possibility of creating a start-up at the end of the two-year project is being considered. The contract may be extended by 1 to 6 months.RequirementsResearch Field Engineering Education Level PhD or equivalentResearch Field Chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalentResearch Field Physics Education Level PhD or equivalentLanguages FRENCH Level BasicResearch Field Engineering Years of Research Experience NoneResearch Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience NoneResearch Field Physics Years of Research Experience NoneAdditional InformationEligibility criteriaThe candidate should have an expertise in fluid mechanics and potentially with a background in physico-chemistry and experimental set-up design, and above all, an appetite for tinkering; are skills that are highly appreciated.Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut de physique de Rennes Country France City RENNES GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact CityRENNES WebsiteSTATUS: EXPIRED