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Master thesis (f/m/x) - Hydrodynamic instabilities in rate-capable Lithium-Sulfur cells
Job Description
Req ID:  2509
Place of work:  Ulm
Starting date:  01.10.2025
Career level:  Student research project and final thesis, Student employment
Type of employment:  Part time
Duration of contract:  6 Monate

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The DLR Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, with research facilities in Stuttgart, Ulm, Cologne-Porz, Oldenburg, and Hamburg, employs over 270 people conducting research in the field of efficient and resource-saving energy storage and energy conversion technologies. 

 

What to expect

In the department of Computational Electrochemistry, mathematical models of the chemical and physical processes in batteries are developed for an in-depth analysis by means of numerical simulations. The aim is to gain detailed insights into the complex multiscale processes that allow optimization of the battery design with respect to performance and aging.

 

This master thesis focuses on next-gen lithium-sulfur cells with sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) as a novel cathode material. Compared to conventional lithium-sulfur cells, the system is rate-capable and perspectival suited for aerospace applications, but unfortunately prone to dendritic ageing of the lithium anode. The latter could be related to the development of hydrodynamic instabilities that lead to chaotic electroconvection.

 

Whether electroconvection becomes relevant for higher currents shall be evaluated in this work. For this purpose, a corresponding detailed zoom-in model is to be implemented in the Python solver Firedrake. The work offers the potential to carry out pioneering work in the context of the stability of lithium-sulfur batteries and, thus, represents an important contribution to the establishment of the system in commercial applications.

 

Your tasks

  • literature study on electroconvection
  • selection, implementation and evaluation of a suitable model approach
  • carrying out simulation studies under realistic cell conditions
  • investigation of the influence of curved surfaces on electroconvection
  • documentation of the work 

Your profile

  • transport processes & Turbulence
  • numerical Methods
  • Python Programming

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 2509) please contact:

 

Timo Danner 
Tel.: +49 711 6862 8218 

 

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