Post-Doctoral Position: Advancing Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology at NETL

Harness Your Research Expertise in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at the National Energy Technology Laboratory

Are you a motivated and skilled researcher seeking to advance clean energy technologies? The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is offering a unique Post-doctoral Position Solid Oxide Fuel Cell research opportunity. This role is designed for ambitious individuals eager to contribute to cutting-edge research focused on enhancing the performance, durability, and understanding of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). As a key member of our dynamic research team, you will engage in applied research aimed at overcoming critical challenges in SOFC technology, directly supporting NETL’s core mission in energy innovation.

Opportunity Overview

This post-doctoral position solid oxide fuel cell research will primarily concentrate on three pivotal areas:

• Electrode Engineering Technology: Develop and refine advanced electrode materials and architectures to boost SOFC performance and longevity.
• Electrode Degradation Processes: Investigate and characterize the mechanisms behind electrode degradation to design more resilient and durable SOFCs.
• Fundamental Reaction and Transport Measurement: Conduct in-depth studies of the fundamental electrochemical reactions and transport phenomena within SOFCs to optimize their operation.

The overarching goals of this post-doctoral position solid oxide fuel cell research are to:

1. Degradation Analysis through Direct Testing: Perform rigorous laboratory testing of SOFCs to evaluate degradation under various operating conditions, employing both conventional and advanced electrochemical techniques and analyses.
2. Advanced Specimen Fabrication: Create test specimens utilizing both established and innovative cell component manufacturing methods.
3. Microstructural and Compositional Characterization: Analyze the microstructure and composition of fuel cell specimens using state-of-the-art analytical equipment.
4. Electrochemical System Design and Construction: Design and build specialized electrochemical testing systems to probe fundamental electrochemical properties.
5. Knowledge Dissemination and Collaboration: Conduct thorough literature reviews and contribute to the creation of review papers and impactful research publications.
6. Integrated Team Environment: Thrive and contribute within a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team.

Key Research Areas and Specific Tasks

As a post-doctoral researcher solid oxide fuel cell at NETL, you will be involved in a range of specific tasks designed to achieve the broad goals outlined above. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Developing Standardized Electrode Manufacturing Methods: You will contribute to the development of standardized electrode manufacturing processes using both conventional and advanced ceramic processing techniques. This will be in close collaboration with the team to understand electrode reaction and degradation mechanisms, ultimately leading to the development of robust degradation models for SOFCs.
• Nano-Engineering Electrodes for Enhanced Performance: You will be at the forefront of tailoring materials and methodologies for electrode nano-engineering. Starting at the button cell scale (2 cm²) and scaling up to commercial stack sizes (16 cm² or larger), you will evaluate the performance and scalability of these innovative electrodes. Your work will involve testing various types of fuel cells under standard air/hydrogen conditions at temperatures ranging from 500 to 800°C for durations of 100 to 500 hours.
• Electrocatalyst Material Selection and Integration: You will play a critical role in selecting and integrating candidate electrocatalyst materials into both cathode and anode microstructures. The aim is to significantly improve cell performance based on criteria such as:
  • Increased electrode activity for enhanced power output.
  • Improved electrode stability to minimize intrinsic degradation over time.
  • Enhanced resistance to contaminant exposure, reducing extrinsic degradation.
  • Lowered operating temperatures, enabling intermediate temperature SOFC applications.
  • Decreased cost per unit of power density for more economically viable SOFC technology.
• Investigating Degradation from Inherent Impurities: A key aspect of your research will involve examining degradation mechanisms arising from inherent impurities within SOFC materials. This will be achieved through long-duration exposure testing (500-1000 hours) under standard cell operating conditions, followed by detailed ex-situ spectroscopy and electron microscopy analysis of standard samples.
• Characterizing Novel Electrode and Electrocatalyst Materials: You will be responsible for the fundamental electrochemical characterization of novel electrode and electrocatalyst materials, including the analysis of property degradation. This fundamental characterization will be crucial for informing material selection processes and contributing to the development of long-term SOFC degradation models at NETL.

Candidate Qualifications

To excel in this post-doctoral position solid oxide fuel cell, candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrable Laboratory Skills: Proven expertise in conducting laboratory experiments is essential.
• Electrochemical Performance Testing Knowledge: Familiarity with conventional electrochemical performance testing techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, V-I curve generation, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Ionic Conductivity, and Electrical Conductivity Relaxation.
• Ceramic Processing Experience: Experience in basic ceramic processing techniques, including powder synthesis, tape casting, screen printing, and sintering.
• Wet Chemistry Methods (Preferred): Preference will be given to candidates with experience in wet chemistry methods.
• Fuel Cell Operation Principles: Basic understanding of the general principles of fuel cell operation.
• Microstructure Analysis Expertise: Experience in microstructure analysis using techniques such as SEM, EDS, AFM, etc., including sample preparation for these analyses.
• Experimental Setup Design: Experience in designing and constructing model experimental setups.
• Excellent Communication and Teamwork Skills: Exceptional communication skills and a demonstrated ability to conduct research effectively in a collaborative team environment are crucial.

While specific experience in solid oxide fuel cells is not mandatory, candidates with experience in SOFCs, electro-ceramic materials, electrochemistry, or related systems in sensors, membranes, and other energy conversion devices will be strongly favored.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this exciting post-doctoral position solid oxide fuel cell opportunity through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) program. The ORISE program facilitates opportunities for researchers at various stages to engage with NETL’s Research and Innovation Center (R&IC).

For any additional inquiries regarding this position or the application process, please contact Patricia Adkins-Coliane, NETL Graduate Education Program Manager, at [email protected].

Join NETL and be at the forefront of solid oxide fuel cell technology advancement!