PhD Research position for the project Chemistry of Triboelectric Materials – Separation Charges

The Cluster of Excellence livMatS develops completely novel, bioinspired materials systems that adapt autonomously to various environments and harvest clean energy from their surroundings. The intention of these purely technical – yet in a behavioral sense quasi-living – materials systems is to meet the demands of humans with regard to pioneering environmental and energy technologies. The societal relevance of autonomous systems and their sustainability will thus play an important role in their development. The research program of livMatS is characterized by highly interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from a broad range of fields including engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, psychology, the humanities, and sustainability sciences.

Project description

The triboelectric effect can be used to power functional materials systems by harvesting mechanical energy from their surroundings. Unfortunately, the underlying charge separation mechanisms are still elusive. This project aims to understand the basic charge separation processes and to identify molecules and materials with maximized energy harvesting efficiency. You will use atomic force microscopy (Kelvin probe force microscopy, force spectroscopy), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and different chemical functionalization techniques to perform micro- and nanoscopic surface characterization. Based on this, material pairs with optimized charge separation capabilities for triboelectric nanogenerators will be determined. Thus, the project will provide novel material design concepts for integration of energy harvesting via the triboelectric effect into a livMatS materials system.

Candidate profile

You should have a M.Sc. degree in physics/ engineering/ chemistry or similar. A PhD thesis requires enthusiasm for scientific research, eagerness to learn new methods, high ability to work in a self-organized manner and willingness to collaborate in an international team. Finally, experience with atomic force microscopy and possibly in electrochemistry or electrical engineering is advantageous.

Please hand in:

• Letter of intent detailing why you are interested in this specific project and how your previous research qualifies you for the project (up to 1,500 words)
• Curriculum Vitae with list of publications (if applicable)
• Certified copies of your university degree(s) with grades (BA and MA certificate / Diploma certificate and transcript)
• Short summary of your master’s thesis (up to 1,000 words)
• Work sample (chapter from recent thesis or journal article, up to 5,000 words)
• Suggestion of two referees with contact details

Your documents will not be returned after the application process. For this reason, please submit copies only. 

Please direct questions about the project to Dr. Bizan N. Balzer at bizan.balzer@physchem.uni-freiburg.de