Supervision: Dr. Antoine GUITTON (antoine.guitton[at]univ-lorraine.fr) Prof. Thierry GROSDIDIER
Location: LEM3, Université de Metz, France

Financial support: CNRS Grant (starting October 1th, 2020 ; 3 years duration).
Keywords : Max Phases, MXenes, hydrogen storage, Microstructural analysis, Electron microscopy.

Solid state storage of hydrogen in low pressure tanks (ground transportation purposes) can take advantage of the reversible transformation of metal into metastable metal-hydrides within an appropriate temperature range. Such storage systems using Mg hydrides is safe and lightweight but exhibit a low charge and discharge kinetic even at relatively high temperatures (>200°C). To overcome these limitations, new alloys and microstructural modifications are explored. Understanding the effects of structural defects and catalysts on the physical mechanisms involved in the hydride nucleation and growth reaction is however needed and difficult: hydrides are unstable under vacuum.

Mn+1AXn phases (n = 1 to 3, M being a transition metal, A an A-group element and X = N or C) are nanolaminated ternary compounds–synthesized by powder metallurgy from cheap and widely available elements. Because of their anisotropic layered structure, the MAX-phases can theoretically store large amounts of hydrogen in solid solution. MAX phases are also precursors for MXenes, one of the largest families of two-dimensional materials. In the form of stacks, these materials have demonstrated remarkable performance as (co-) catalysts for key fuel cell reactions and are promising for hydrogen storage.

In this thesis, we will explore the influence of microstructural defects (dislocations, grain boundaries, heterophasic interfaces) on the fundamental mechanisms of hydrogen storage in MAX phases, MXenes and their Mg-based nanocomposites. This thesis is part of a collaboration project between several laboratories – LEM3 (Metz, France), Institut Pprime (Poitiers, France), IC2MP (Poitiers, France), GPM (Rouen, France), Beijing Jiaotong University (China) and I2CNER (Japan) –

More details HERE

Supervision: Marc Legros (marc.legros[at]cemes.fr), Julio Cesar Brandelero (Mitsubishi Electric)

Location: CEMES (Toulouse)

Financial support: CIFRE Grant (starting on October 1th, 2020 ; 3 years duration).
Keywords : Al microstructure, oxidation, grain boundaries, thermal & electrical cycling, electron &ion microscopy.

Power devices, such as MOSFETs and IGBTs, are key components of the continuous growth of power electronics applications ranging from domotics to energy conversion. Their reliability becomes critical in transportation and off-shore applications. Anticipating or even preventing their failure is a key technical issue.

In recent years, several weak spots have been identified in the structure of modern Si-based power devices, and some solutions (packaging) have already been found to increase their resistance to disruption. However, the aging of the top metal source and wire bondings, mainly made of Al or Al alloy has persisted as an intrinsic weak link, degrading the electrical performance of the device over time. This occurs through mechanisms that involve grain boundary diffusion, crack formation and surface/interface oxidation, also driven by stresses arising from thermal mismatch between the metal and the silicon. The goal of this thesis is to find methods (fresh devices processing, circuitry modification) favoring the self-healing or the non propagation of these cracks.

More details HERE

On the Mitsubishi Electric Research site

This post will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. For more information about AMCASH please visit

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/partners/sme-support/Business-Support-Programmes/amcash.aspx and http://www.amcash.co.uk

The post holder’s primary objective will be to ensure that the suite of technology demonstrators to be delivered in the project meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders and provide a compelling case for the uptake of manufacturing simulation and material characterisation by regional manufacturing SMEs.

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities detailed here.

Informal enquiries to Dr Yu Lung Chiu, y.chiu@bham.ac.uk or telephone 0121 414 5190 

The successful candidate will join the I3EM (“In situ, Interferometry and Instrumentation for Electron Microscopy”) team at CEMES-CNRS and will study the modifications of electric and magnetic fields by light absorption in nanostructured semiconductor materials using in situ electron holography.