Student practical training / Bachelor theses / Master theses / Diploma theses / Compulsory internship / Volunteer internship

Liquid metal batteries (LMBs) are an innovative electrical energy storage technology proposed as a possible candidate for the grid integration of renewable energy sources (see https://youtu.be/Sddb0Khx0yA ).

Consisting of a totally liquid interior (two liquid metals are separated by a molten salt electrolyte), LMBs allow extremely high current densities. The raw materials are earth abundant and the cells can potentially be very cheap [1].

The high temperatures and the aggressive environment limit the experimental study to few measurable quantities. Numerical studies are required to understand the relevant transport phenomena and their effect on the cell performance [2].

Using the free and open source CFD library OpenFOAM a number of solvers were programmed in our group to predict fluid flow and transport phenomena in LMBs (i.e. [2, 3]).

In frame of a project work or a master thesis the student has the possibility to investigate heat and mass transfer in liquid metal batteries through numerical simulations. The task will encompass the entire CFD workflow from the preprocessing step to the evaluation of the results.

The work will be carried out in the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany. This research center is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. The Center's focus is on interdisciplinary research in the areas energy, health and matter.

Please provide a letter of motivation, a CV as well as a transcript of records and a copy of your latest certificate (e.g. bachelor).

Requirements:

+ interest in numerical simulation of multi-physics phenomena (thermo-fluid-dynamics and electrochemistry)
+ bachelor degree in engineering, physics or mathematics
+ basic knowledge of continuum mechanics (e.g. heat transfer, fluid dynamics)
+ experience with numerical methods and their implementation
+ ideally experience in computational fluid dynamics
Helpful:
+ basic knowledge of electrochemistry,
+ experience with numerical simulation,
+ programming experience with Python and/or C++,
+ familiarity with GNU/Linux environment.

+ exciting work environment on an attractive international research campus,
+ possibility to learn how to use one of leading CFD software (OpenFOAM) on HPC through the full CFD workflow,