Internship/master thesis on batteries - Development and validation of multiphysics models for redox flow batteries

The Sustainable Energy Centre is searching for a young student interested in carrying out an internship/master thesis experience in the field of batteries. The ideal candidate is a proactive and dynamic person with good organizational skills, a strong interest on physics, modeling and computer science and, of course, motivated to have a research experience in an international context. Depending on the outcomes and the interests of the candidate it will be possible to follow-up these research activities with a PhD grant.

The internship/master thesis will focus on multiphysics modeling of redox flow batteries. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are a promising technology for large scale energy storage. In RFBs power and energy are decoupled: the former depends mainly on the size of the stack while the latter on the size tanks containing the redox active species. This feature make RFBs ideal for economical, large-scale energy storage. However, cost reduction are in order for allowing a widespread diffusion of this technology. Cell and stack design is a core task required for the development and upscaling of flow battery systems but redox flow cells models can be very complex due to the multitude of physical phenomena that need to be considered: electric fields, fluid flow, mass and specie transport in different components, electrochemical reactions, heat transfer. All these phenomena need to be considered to identify cell-limiting mechanisms, forecasting cell performance and optimizing the design

The following phases of work are expected:

Training and study of OpenFOAM: FVM implementation, code structure, solver structure
Analysis of different mathematical models used for modeling the different cells components (electrolytes, electrodes, membrane) and physical phenomena
Identification of the models to be used based on the type of RFB (all-liquid, gas-liquid, with solid deposition)
Study of an existing library for modeling electrochemical systems
Development of a solver for modeling redox flow cells and stacks (at least for all-liquid RFBs with actives species always dissolved)
Model validation based on experimental measurements

The student will be supported by FBK’s researchers and the researcher will also guide the initial phases of training and the development of the activities.

Requirements:
Enrolled in Master degree in Energy, Chemical or Mathematical Engineering, Physics/Chemistry or similar
Basic knowledge of eletrochemistry / batteries
Good knowledge of either Italian or English language (both spoken and written)
Know-how on computational methods and in particular finite volume method (FVM)
Good programming skills, in particular C/C++
Good communication and relational skills
Self-motivation and result orientation

Information of the internship:
Starting date: March 2023
Duration: minimum 6 months

We also offer support for the search for accommodation at the affiliated structures and the canteen service (for students not belonging to UniTN)

For further details on the activities please contact Edoardo Gino Macchi (emacchi@fbk.eu)

For any support, further clarification and/or information, the Human Resources Department will remain available via the address: jobs@fbk.eu

Recruitment Type	Standard
Business Unit	Centro Sustainable Energy
Locations	Science and Technology Hub - Trento