Description of the thesis topic

Hydrogen has an essential role to play alongside electrification in the national strategy to decarbonise industry. It enables the efficient storage and transport of energy produced on a large scale by electrolysis from renewable sources. However, to fully exploit this energy vector, it is imperative to develop secure and efficient storage methods for this extremely light gas. Solid hydrogen storage via chemisorption in reversible materials is emerging as a very promising solution, guaranteeing both high volume density and enhanced safety. Despite the progress already made in optimising hydrides, challenges remain, and no current material fully meets practical requirements in terms of storage capacity, reversibility, operational conditions and cost. Against this backdrop, our project, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), aims to develop new reversible, high-capacity materials for hydrogen storage.

Expected skills:
- Holder of a master's degree (or equivalent) ensuring in-depth knowledge in materials science and materials for energy
- Strong aptitude for experimental sciences (experiments, interpretation and analysis)
- Organizational skills
- Ease of communication in English
- Knowledge in the field of Hydrogen storage materials will be a strength

Work Context

The proposed thesis will be conducted at the Institut NÉEL of CNRS in Grenoble within the MRS team (Materials Radiations Structures). It is part of the HYDROPTERE project funded by the National Research Agency.
The Institut NÉEL is a CNRS unit (UPR 2940 / CNRS Physique) under agreement with the University Grenoble Alpes. It is one of the largest French national research institutes for fundamental research in condensed matter physics enriched by interdisciplinary activities at the interfaces with chemistry, engineering and biology. It consists of 450 employees, including 175 researchers. It is located in Grenoble, in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment, right next to the French Alpes.
The current team relies on technological poles (induction synthesis, high pressure, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, etc.) and has state-of-the-art equipment for studying the hydrogen sorption properties of materials. All the resources shared by the Institut Néel will be made available to ensure the success of the project. Travel outside the region may be required during the thesis.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.