PhD scholarship in Magnetothermal energy harvesting from waste heat - DTU Energy

Do you want to contribute to a future where we can harvest energy from waste heat using a novel magnetothermal device, that you will get to help realize? If yes, this PhD-position is exactly for you.
Do you want to contribute to a future where we can harvest energy from waste heat using a novel magnetothermal device, that you will get to help realize? If yes, this PhD-position is exactly for you.

At the Technical University of Denmark, Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) we research how to harvest energy from a number of sources, and waste heat is particularly interesting because of the large amount of energy available from industrial processes. In fact, in the EU alone, the low grade waste heat amounts to more energy than 10 times the electricity consumption of Denmark. Harvesting part of this energy is therefore crucial for the green transition.

Responsibilities and qualifications
To harvest this low grade waste heat, we can make use of magnetic materials, as the magnetic properties of these will depend on temperature – cold materials will be magnetic, while hot materials will not. By changing the temperature of two magnetic materials using an alternating stream of waste heat in contact with these, the magnetic flux through a set of coils can be changed, thereby producing electricity – this is known as a magnetothermal process. This idea has existed since it was described by Nikola Tesla in 1889, but new powerful magnets and a novel design technique will allow us in this project to finally realize an efficient device for harvesting low grade waste heat. Your role as a PhD student will be to design, model and build an experimental magnetothermal energy harvesting device setup where we can test new designs of the various sub-components of the systems. The project has many aspects. You will work on building the device and testing this, but working on a numerical model of the system is also a potential option.

The questions we are trying to answer are the following:

• What is the best design of the magnet, coils, and magnetic materials in the system?
• What is the best tradeoff between efficiency and power?
• What efficiency can we potentially reach with the device?

At the end of the PhD project, we will have realized an experimental device in the lab that can produce power from a hot and cold stream – and that can be showcased to potential interested industries. The PhD project is part of a research project funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark.

Qualified applicants must have:

• A Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or similar.
• Experience with realizing experimental setups would be beneficial
• Basic knowledge of electromagnetism as gained from e.g. BSc courses.
• Ability to work independently and plan and carry out complicated tasks.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is August 1st (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Rasmus Bjørk, +45 46 77 58 95, [email protected]

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 April 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Energy
Is focused on education, research, and development within functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technologies. In a sustainable energy system, a large part of the energy will be supplied by fluctuating sources such as solar and wind power. This makes it critically important to be able to convert and store the energy as needed. Our research areas include fuel and electrolysis cells, solar cells, and batteries as well as advanced filtration devices. We are ca. 250 employees. Additional information about the department can be found on http://www.energy.dtu.dk.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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