DC8 – Mechanically Robust Design of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Modules
Objective: Analyse mechanical stresses and failure mechanisms in thermoelectric modules and design robust architectures with enhanced lifetime and reliability.
Host Institution: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Location: Cologne, Germany
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes de Boor (DLR)
Co-Supervisors: Dr. Elsa Branco Lopes, IST (Portugal), Dr. Richard Tuley, ETL (United Kingdom)
Duration: 36 months (full-time employment)
PhD-awarding Institution: University of Duisburg-Essen
Project Overview
DC8 will focus on the development of mechanically robust and reliable magnesium-based thermoelectric module designs for solid-state cooling applications.
The project will address thermo-mechanical behaviour, stress evolution during fabrication and operation, and failure mechanisms arising from thermal expansion mismatch and external loading.
The results will combine experimental mechanical characterisation and numerical modelling to establish structure-mechanical-performance relationships and ensure integration compatibility with module fabrication and system-level cooling activities within the consortium.
Research Tasks and Training Objectives
The Doctoral Candidate (m/f/div) will:
- Characterise the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of thermoelectric materials and module components
- Model thermal and mechanical stresses in thermoelectric modules under realistic operating conditions using numerical tools (e.g., FEM)
- Propose and validate mechanically robust module geometries, substrates, and packaging concepts
- Support integration of optimised designs into high-performance module prototypes
- Collaborate closely with materials, modelling, and module-focused DCs within the network
- Participate in secondments, network-wide scientific training, and transferable skills activities
- Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and outreach initiatives
Secondments
To strengthen interdisciplinary and intersectoral training, DC8 will undertake the following secondments:
- ETL (UK) – 2 months
Focus: Industrial reliability testing and module performance validation - Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal) – 4 months
Focus: Advanced thermo-mechanical modelling and transport-property coupling
Required Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Technical Competences
- Strong background in mechanical characterisation, thermo-mechanical analysis, or materials modelling
- Experience with numerical simulations (e.g., FEM) is required
- Understanding of stress-strain behaviour, thermal expansion, and failure mechanisms
- Knowledge of thermoelectric materials or energy conversion devices is advantageous
- Interest in reliability and lifetime analysis of functional materials
Personal Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving abilities
- Ability to work independently and within an international 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.