Missions

Project PERLA ERC 2022
The project aims to develop electroconductive fluids containing anisotropic particles. Their novelty lies in the formation of dynamic networks established within the flow of fluids. We plan to validate fundamental hypotheses related to the out-of-equilibrium percolation of anisotropic particles in flows. This acquisition of fundamental knowledge will allow proposing new concepts for the development of low-viscosity, highly conductive, and tunable conductive fluids. Carbon nanotube systems and short carbon fibers will be used as conductive particles, both brownian and non-brownian.

The structure, rheological, and electrical properties of the suspensions will be characterized under different flow conditions, ranging from diluted to concentrated regimes, including liquid crystal phases. The fundamental knowledge gained in the project will be applied in various applications, including flow capacitors, water desalination, and flexible electronics and robotics.

Flow capacitors and batteries are among the most promising technologies for future renewable energy storage demands. They allow a decoupling of power and energy density, making them particularly suitable for storing energy generated intermittently by wind and solar sources. These applications hold significant promise for addressing energy and environmental challenges. However, they are currently limited by the use of highly viscous sludges composed of spherical particles or heavy, unstable liquid metals.
The fluids developed in this project will overcome these limitations and provide new degrees of freedom for future sustainable applications of electrochemistry in flow systems.

Activités

Formulation of conductive particle suspensions
Rheology
Structural and electrochemical characterizations
Modeling

Compétences

Expertise in physical chemistry
Soft condensed matter
Materials Science
Polymers, colloids, liquid crystals

Contexte de travail

The Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal is a CNRS physical-chemistry laboratory located in Bordeaux and associated to the University of Bordeaux. The CNRS is the main French research organism. The University of Bordeaux is recognized as a national cluster of excellence in Materials Science. Research activities of CRPP include soft condensed matter, materials science and biotechnologies. The laboratory has 150 employees, including students and post-doc, permanent researchers, administrative and technical staff. Our group on carbon nanotubes and graphene employs 15 persons and enjoys expertise for more than 20 years in physical chemistry of nanocarbons, nanocomposites, polymers and electrochemistry. Our group has pioneered several topics such as the carbon nanotube based fibers, or carbon nanotubes based liquid crystals. Bordeaux is a pleasant and lively city. It enjoys a lively student life. The city is not far from the Atlantic Ocean and in the heart of the most prestigious vineyards. Bordeaux enjoys the charming weather of south west of France.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.