In 1829, when Hans Christian Ørsted founded what became the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), he created an eloquent response to an important need in society: to make use of scientific progress in the service of society by applying technology.

3 PhD and 2 Postdoc positions for a new and challenging project:

Optimized processing of multi-material architectures for functional ceramics

Do you want to help develop innovative and environmentally friendly technologies for the future?

The Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division at Risø DTU has been granted a 4-year project, OPTIMAC, to investigate the optimized processing of multi-material architectures for functional ceramics. Many devices, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, gas separation membranes and magnetic refrigeration units, contain functional ceramics. Their performance may be improved by grading the ceramic materials, i.e. making multi-material components. The processing of such components is challenging, and it is the objective of the project to increase our understanding of the processes involved, including shaping, sintering and mechanical behavior.

The project takes place in collaboration between Risø DTU and leading Danish and international research institutions and companies. We now have openings for 5 positions in the project. We must have your application by August 15, 2010.

1. Postdoc for Modeling the tape casting process

Tape casting is a standard shaping technique to form thin ceramic layers. You will develop models to simulate the shaping of multilayer and graded materials by tape casting. To apply, see www.dtu.dk/vacancy.
Contact person: Professor Jesper Hattel, DTU Mechanical Engineering, jhat@mek.dtu.dk, tel.: + 45 4525 4710

2. PhD for Modeling of the extrusion process

Extrusion is a process where a material is pushed through a die of the desired cross-section. In the project you will develop a detailed viscoelastic numerical model for simulating the extrusion process. To apply, see www.dtu.dk/vacancy.
Contact person: Professor Jesper Hattel, DTU Mechanical Engineering, jhat@mek.dtu.dk, tel.: + 45 4525 4710

3. Postdoc for Modeling of the sintering process

The complex sintering mechanisms involved in the consolidation of single layers are well-studied. However, little is known regarding co-sintering multilayer components, when each layer contributes differently into the final structure. In this project, you will develop a model to predict the microstructure evolution during co-sintering of a multilayer system.
To apply, see www.dtu.dk/vacancy.
Contact person: Head of Program, Nini Pryds, +45 46 77 57 52, E-Mail: nipr@risoe.dtu.dk

4. PhD for Modeling of mechanical properties of porous multiphase microstructures

In the project, you will work towards the prediction the fracture toughness of multiphase structures. This will be achieved by a combination of experimental work and modelling.
To apply, see http://science.au.dk/en/studies/phd-studies/.
Contact person: Professor Henrik Myhre Jensen, Aarhus University, Tel: +45 89 42 91 30, E-Mail: hmj@agse.dk

5. PhD for Modeling of shape instabilities occurring during sintering

In this project the focus is on predicting the shape changes and stress field of a co-sintering multiphase ceramic structure on the macroscopic level. To apply, see www.dtu.dk/vacancy.
Contact person: Researcher Henrik Lund Frandsen, Risø DTU, Tel: +45 46 77 56 68, E-Mail: hlfr@risoe.dtu.dk