EngD Position: Optimal design and manufacturing methodology of electrolyser bipolar plates

The Chair of Nonlinear Solid Mechanics within the Faculty of Engineering Technology has an opening for an EngD position focused on developing a numerical design tool to predict the manufacturability of specific bipolar plate geometries.

The Challenge
Hydrogen is becoming increasingly vital as a clean and renewable energy source in the transition toward sustainable energy systems. Electrolysers are crucial for hydrogen production, with bipolar plates serving as essential components that function as both separators and electrodes within electrolyser cells. Manufacturing these bipolar plates poses significant challenges due to their intricate geometries and the complex mechanical properties of materials like titanium.

While the Finite Element Method (FEM) is widely used to model manufacturing processes, current FE software libraries often lack the advanced material models needed to simulate titanium's complex behavior during forming accurately. This limitation leads to less precise predictions and necessitates costly and time-consuming prototype development. This project aims to develop and implement advanced material models within the FEM framework to predict the manufacturability of specific bipolar plate geometries precisely. The tool will enhance manufacturability and performance by addressing the complexities associated with titanium's properties, ultimately increasing hydrogen production yield and contributing to climate-neutral targets for 2050.

Your Role

• Participate in cutting-edge research and design under the guidance of leading experts in the field.
• Develop and implement advanced material models for thin metal forming simulations of titanium.
• Conduct mechanical characterization experiments to validate and refine the material models
• Develop a parameterised design tool for bipolar plate production.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including members from the University of Twente and the industrial partner Bosch.
• Work regularly as part of the Data Driven Engineering team at Bosch Transmission Technology in Tilburg, Netherlands.

As an EngD candidate at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for two years within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment.

• The University offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary of € 2.844,-
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid)
• You will have a 1-year training programme where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable set of courses.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff