Description du sujet de thèse

The selected candidate will join the “Bio-based Materials” team of the Jean Lamour Institute in Épinal as a PhD student. He or she will work under the supervision of Vincent Nicolas (Associate Professor with HDR – University of Lorraine) and Jimena Castro Gutierrez (Research Engineer – CNRS), with Kerri Hickenbottom (Associate Professor – University of Arizona) as co-lead of the 3D-SEPARATION project, jointly funded by CNRS and the University of Arizona (UofA).
The main objective of this project is to develop a 3D-printed, bio-based solar crystallizer for salt/water separation from highly concentrated brine, with the aim of achieving passive water desalination and mineral recovery.
The proposed PhD project aims to develop an evaporation cell based on a porous carbon matrix produced via 3D printing (stereolithography) of bio-based resins. This matrix will enhance water evaporation and salt crystallization by increasing the exchange surface between the water to be treated and the surrounding air and by capturing solar radiation efficiently thanks to carbon's high solar absorption capacity.
As part of the 3D-SEPARATION project, the specific objectives are to:
1. Design a high-performance solar evaporator for salt separation,
2. Develop a new solar crystallizer,
3. Move toward the implementation of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems.

The candidate will work on the development of tannin-based crosslinkable resins for stereolithography 3D printing. He/she will be in charge of the pyrolysis of the printed 3D structures to turn them into porous carbon while retaining their original geometry. The candidate will have to produce different 3D carbon structures to optimize their geometries for their foreseen application as water evaporation materials. Preliminary tests were recently carried out using a 3D printed carbon structure with geometry inspired by the shape of trees to increase the exchange surface, the results highlighted the great potential of these materials as evaporators for salt crystallization. The objective will be to maximize salt and water production, unlike previous studies where only water production was taken into account. The next step will be to develop the properties of the material, either by applying post-treatments to change the surface tension and direct the salt to the areas to be crystallized, or by mixing it with other materials such as hydrogels to promote water evaporation. At the same time, an optimal design must be found to optimize mass and heat transfer. Different material matrices that promote selective and enhanced crystallization will also be evaluated. To do end, a numerical approach is envisaged to model existing phenomena and optimize crystallization and gravity recovery. Geometries that promote a high evaporation rate and crystal fixation will be selected for testing at the University of Arizona (Tucson).

Skills :
The candidate must hold a Master 2 or equivalent, with a specialization in "materials", “chemistry”, "engineering sciences", "energy" or "transfers in porous media". Experience in the study of carbonaceous materials will be required. The other essential criteria are responsiveness, autonomy within the laboratory, and the ability to work in a team. An excellent command of English is essential, stays at the WEST CENTER in Tucson (Arizona) will be expected during the thesis. A mastery of the French language will also be greatly appreciated.

Contexte de travail

The Institute Jean Lamour (IJL) is a joint research unit of CNRS and Université de Lorraine.
Focused on materials and processes science and engineering, it covers: materials, metallurgy, plasmas, surfaces, nanomaterials and electronics.
The IJL has 263 permanent staff (30 researchers, 134 teacher-researchers, 99 IT-BIATSS) and 394 non-permanent staff (182 doctoral students, 62 post-doctoral students / contractual researchers and more than 150 trainees), of 45 different nationalities.
Partnerships exist with 150 companies and our research groups collaborate with more than 30 countries throughout the world.
The IJL is based in Nancy, on the Artem campus, and several of its teams are located on other Nancy campuses, as well as in Metz and Epinal (Campus Bois, where the host team is based).

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.

Contraintes et risques

Stays in Tucson (Arizona – USA) of 1 to 2 weeks per year will be necessary for the good running of the project.