[Neutron] Opening for a PhD position at the ILL on Lithium Batteries

[SUARD Emmanuelle]

Dear colleague,


The LRCS Laboratory at the University Picardie Jules Verne (Amiens,  France), the ICMCB-CNRS Laboratory at the University of Bordeaux  (France) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France), jointly  invite applications for a three-year PhD programme entitled:




      Lithium Batteries: neutrons at the rescue


This PhD proposal aims at developing a solid expertise in the systematic 
structural investigation of inorganic materials used as electrodes for 
lithium-ion batteries and in the determination of phase transformation 
mechanisms when these materials are reduced/oxidized during battery 
operation (i.e. during Lithium deintercalation and intercalation in the 
host structure).

In particular, we want to develop, through a collaborative work between 
LRCS Amiens, ICMCB Bordeaux, ILL Scientists and technical staff, 
electrochemical cells which will allow to follow in-situ (i.e. during 
electrochemical operation, operando) the structural modifications (new 
metastable phase formations, solid solutions, changes in crystallinity 
etc…) associated with the reversible insertion/extraction of alkali 
cations (Li+, eventually extended to Na+) from the positive and/or 
negative electrodes of Li-ion (Na-ion…) batteries.

In addition, our team wishes to evaluate and develop a more systematic 
use of the PDF approach with neutrons for energy-related materials which 
may present partial long-range disorder phenomena. This study will be 
performed in collaboration with Pierre Bordet from Néel Institute 
(Grenoble, France). The project will include specific tasks summarized 
as follows:

    * Development of electrochemical cells suitable for in-situ neutron
      diffraction during electrochemical operation,
    * Study of case compounds for validation of the cells,
    * Determination of insertion/deinsertion mechanisms for
      electrochemical systems of interest at both academic and
      industrial levels,
    * Addressing new problems for new materials in relationship with
      partner institutions of the RS2E (Réseau sur le Stockage
      Electrochimique de l’Energie) French network, recently granted as
      a LabEX by the French authorities (STORE-EX).

Importantly, the project aims at sharing our technical developments with 
the scientific community so as to implement and “offer” a reliable tool 
available at ILL that could be further used by scientists of the energy 
storage community.


The PhD project will be located mainly in Grenoble (France) at the ILL, 
with short but regular missions in Amiens (France) at the LRCS - 
University of Picardie Jules Verne and in Bordeaux (France) at the ICMCB 
– University of Bordeaux. The successful candidate will be employed for 
a period of up to three years, with a gross salary of around 2350 
€/month, together with other benefits depending on the student’s social 
status (for more details see: 
http://www.ill.eu/science-technology/phd-students/phd-recruitment/phd-work-at-the-ill/). 
A team of experts, including Christian Masquelier from LRCS, Laurence 
Croguennec from ICMCB and Emmanuelle Suard from ILL will supervise the 
work of the PhD student. Applicants should have a degree from a relevant 
Master course (Solid state chemistry and physics, Inorganic materials 
for Energy Storage and Conversion …). Academic knowledge of condensed 
matter physics will be highly appreciated as well as good communication 
skills and interest in designing challenging scientific tools will be 
essential for the success of the project.

*Supervisors: *Christian Masquelier 
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LRCS - University of Picardie Jules Verne, Laurence Croguennec 
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ICMCB-CNRS - University of Bordeaux and Emmanuelle Suard 
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*Contact information:* Masquelier, Tel : +33 6 6251 8972 or +33 6 7409 
1769, christian.masquelier(at)u-picardie.fr 
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Best regards


-- 
Dr Emmanuelle Suard, ILL, Diffraction group, D2B responsible, EASY ACCESS for Powder diffraction
Phone +33/ (0)4 76 20 71 64
email: suard at ill.eu