We propose a post-doctoral position in Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology (Poland) for a collaborative work in the frame of the Welcome Programme implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) within the Measure 1.2, ‘Strengthening the human resources potential of science’, of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme supported by European Union. Title of the Project: Development of high performance and ECOLogicaly friendly superCAPacitors for energy management – ECOLCAP. Supercapacitors are energy storage devices characterized by a high power and a long cycle-life. They are used for applications in electric and hybrid vehicles, tramways, starting of diesel engines, renewable energy harvesting, etc. The current research aims at improving the performance of supercapacitors in order to enhance their energy density and broaden the range of their applications.
Description
Supercapacitors are energy storage devices characterized by a high power and a long cycle-life. They are used for applications in electric and hybrid vehicles, tramways, starting of diesel engines, renewable energy harvesting, etc. The current research aims at improving the performance of supercapacitors in order to enhance their energy density and broaden the range of their applications. We propose a post-doctoral position in Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology (Poland) for a collaborative work in the frame of the Welcome Programme implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) within the Measure 1.2, ‘Strengthening the human resources potential of science’, of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme supported by European Union. Most of the commercially available supercapacitors are based on an organic electrolyte, which presents some disadvantages as a high cost, safety and environment issues, ... The objective of the ECOLCAP project is to developing a new concept of environment friendly and cheap capacitor operating in an aqueous electrolyte, while being able to reach the same performance as in organic medium. More specifically, the main breakthrough of ECOLCAP is expected in considerably enhancing the operating voltage in protic electrolytes. Within the frame of ECOLCAP, the research fellow will develop carbon materials with controlled nanostructure and surface functionalities, such as porous carbons from biomass resources, graphene, nanotubes... Physico-chemical techniques (gas adsorption, electron microscopies, surface titration, thermoprogrammed desorption, …) will be used for characterizing the structure and nanotexture of carbons. These materials will be electrochemically tested (galvanostatic cycling, voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy) with aqueous electrolytes as well as ionic liquids. The electrochemical performance will be discussed by comparison with the physico-chemical characteristics. The optimised materials and electrolytes will be further implemented in supercapacitor prototypes. This ambitious work programme within an international network is recommended for candidates interested both by fundamental and applied science, and aiming at developing a future carrier connected with industrial developments. The fellows should possess a consistent background in electrochemistry, applied especially to power sources. Abilities in material science will be also highly appreciated. The candidates must hold a Ph. D. degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. They should have at least 6 months experience of foreign traineeships. They should be good team players and have ability and willing to taking initiative. Good English speaking and writing is also required.
