PhD Trapping polymer particles at the surface of paper sheets with divalent ions

Are you fascinated by transport particle laden fluids in thin, porous media? Do you like to work at the interface of physics and chemistry? Are you passionate about working with experimental advanced tools like high resolution NMR imaging? Are you eager to work at the crossroad of fundamental science and industrial R&D? Then you are the right person to apply on this position.

Job Description

The aim of this project is to study the transport of particle laden fluids (inspired by water-based inks) into thin, porous media (paper sheets), the role of divalent ions in the porous medium to promote coagulation of the particles, and the consequence for particle penetration. A recently developed UFI-NMR technique will be used for real-time visualization and quantification of particles into porous media. The obtained results will be used to develop a predictive model describing the transport and film formation processes. The NMR studies will be supplemented by SEM and other experimental tools to analyze the structure of the porous substrates.

Water-based inks are the cornerstone for sustainable digital printing. Water based inks are complex mixtures or water, nanoparticles (pigments and polymer latex) and other additives. The printing substrate, paper, adds an extra level of complexity. Often divalent ions are used as fixation agent to trap particles at the top of the paper sheet. The goal is obvious: promote print quality. Studying these processes is challenging as the porous layers (paper sheets) are thin (hundred micrometer) and liquid uptake occurs very fast (in the millisecond domain). Recently, a breakthrough NMR-imaging technique has been developed at the TU/e (UFI-NMR) allowing ultra-fast-imaging (UFI) or capillary action in thin, porous layers. This new technique offers the opportunity to systematic study uptake or complex fluids in thin stratified porous media.

You will become a member of the group Transport in Permeable Media (TPM) of the Applied Physics department. You will work in close collaboration with Canon Production Printing and Covestro, enabling you to access the experimental facilities of these companies and allowing you to work with taylor-made models liquids. You will be part of a bigger project and will collaborate with another PhD student focusing on complex fluids in stratified layers (coated paper).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.