Domain, Specialties : Physical measurements
Keywords:
Instrumentation, prototyping, data acquisition, simulation
Research Unit : SPEC / SPHYNX
Summary
This experimental research project focuses on precision instrumentation and prototype development for liquid-based thermoelectrochemical energy harvesting from low-grade waste heat. At the intersection of experimental physics, electronics, and engineering, the project involves the development and integration of automated data acquisition and high-precision electrical measurement systems, alongside the design, construction, and testing of modular thermoelectrochemical cell prototypes. The objective is to develop reliable experimental instrumentation and functional prototypes for evaluating the heat-to-elelctricity conversion capacity of the liquids as well as optimizing the device performance.
Full description
At SPHYNX, we have several on-going R&D projects on liquid thermoelectric materials (ionic liquids and colloidal suspensions). These fluids hold great promise for low-grade waste-heat harvesting not only for their favorable physical properties, but also for their sustainability (non-reliance on critical raw materials) and manufacturability (facile and low-cost synthesis and integration). This research field is rather new and interdisciplinary, requiring scientists to devise new experimental approaches and measurement protocols to improve the accuracy of acquired data and accelerate the material characterization processes.
We propose an internship project of 6 months comprising both data acquisition and prototype building.
1) Integrating a custom-made precision real-time current monitoring instrumentation into the existing (or creating a new) automated data acquisition for thermoelectrochemical experiments.
2) Development of a laboratory-scale proof-of-concept low-power thermo-electrochemical cells based on the existing design. The prototype will be modular such that several unit cells to be connected in a ‘plug-and-play’ manner to adjust the power output. It should also accommodate both static and liquid-flow operation modes. The candidate will be involved in designing, constructing, and testing the prototype cells. Ultimately, the power-out measurements will be carried out using the custom-made precision monitoring instrumentation mentioned above.
The ideal candidate should be multi-tasking, committed to her/his assignments and a team player (good communication skills).
Location
France
Internship conditions
- Internship duration: 6 months
- Level of study: Bac+5
- Training: Ingenieur/Master
- Continuation in PhD thesis: No
- Application deadline: 27 octobre 2026
Experimental skills
Language : English
Useful methods and technics:
1) Micro-electronic systems and microcontroller programming (C++, Python).
2) Hands on experience in the physical science experimental research environment (hardware manipulation, wire soldering, etc.), data acquisition and simulations. Experience with SolidWorks and CFD software is a plus.
Computer languages and software:
see above
Links
Site web du laboratoire : https://iramis.cea.fr/en/spec/sphynx/
Supervisor
Sawako NAKAMAE
Phone: +33 1 69 08 75 38/93 07
Email :
Head of the laboratory SPEC / SPHYNX
Phone: