DC10 – Scalable Fabrication and Advanced Coating of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Coolers
Objective: Develop scalable fabrication routes and advanced protective coatings to improve durability, interface stability, and industrial readiness of thermoelectric cooling modules.
Host Institution: Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW)
Location: Dresden, Germany
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch (IFW Dresden), Germany
Co-Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Christina Scheu, SUSMAT (Germany), Dr. Richard Tuley, ETL (United Kingdom)
Duration: 36 months (full-time employment)
PhD-awarding Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
Project Overview
DC10 will focus on the scalable fabrication and advanced coating of Mg-based thermoelectric coolers.
The project will explore the advanced module layouts and optimized contacts and substrates from the perspective of industrial manufacturing routes.
A central objective is to enhance module durability, thermal stability, and long-term reliability while maintaining high cooling performance. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) will be employed to improve interface stability and encapsulate the whole module in 3D. Coated modules will be characterized under harsh environmental conditions in collaboration with industrial partners.
Research Tasks and Training Objectives
The Doctoral Candidate (m/f/div) will:
- Develop scalable fabrication routes for Mg-based thermoelectric modules for cooling.
- Apply and optimize Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) for module encapsulation
- Characterize coated modules under harsh operating conditions with an industry partner
- Analyze degradation mechanisms by advanced characterization techniques
- Collaborate within the European MGICIAN network and disseminate research results through publications and conferences
- Participate in intersectoral secondments and structured doctoral training activities
Secondments
To strengthen interdisciplinary and intersectoral training, DC10 will undertake the following secondments:
- ETL (United Kingdom) – 2 months
Focus: Industrial-scale coating validation and reliability testing - SUSMAT (Germany) – 2 months
Focus: Advanced characterisation of coated interfaces and degradation mechanisms - Public University of Navarra (UPNA, Spain) – 3 months
Focus: Device testing under harsh operating conditions and performance optimization
Requirements
Education
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Production Technologies, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at Technische Universität Dresden.
Technical Competences
- Experience with the characterization of thermoelectric materials
- Experimental background in thermoelectric materials and device fabrication
- Experience with thin-film deposition techniques (e.g., ALD, PVD, CVD) is advantageous
- Understanding of thermal transport and interface phenomena is beneficial
- Interest in scalable manufacturing and industrial production of thermoelectric devices
Personal Skills
- Strong analytical and experimental problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and within an international and interdisciplinary research network
- Excellent written and spoken English
Join MGICIAN as a Doctoral Candidate
Apply now and become part of MGICIAN as a Doctoral Candidate. Shape the future of sustainable solid-state cooling with us.