MSc / BSc thesis opportunities
Please be aware that these thesis topics and internship topics are available for TU Delft students (and possibly EU students with a good fit to the group). We cannot host non-EU students for an internship, due to the already large number of own students from TU Delft and due to the work for arranging visa for non-EU interns.
MSc thesis projects
These are the possible MSc thesis projects in the academic year 2024-25.
Topic 1: Combined electrochemical CO production and separation
Availability: Available from app January 2025
Description: In this thesis, you will work on the combined production and separation of CO, exploring absorbent materials and cell configurations. The effect of in-situ product separation on the electrochemical CO2 reduction will be studied by looking at the Faradaic efficiency and energy consumption of the CO2 electrolysis cell, while the separation process will be evaluated on their product purity, energy consumption, and stability.
We are looking for: M.Sc. Chemical Engineering students with an interest in innovation, electrochemistry, reactor design, and a willingness to perform experiments.
Topic 2: Asymmetric porous anion exchange membranes made from functionalized Polyhenyleneoxide using non solvent induced phase separation (NIPS)
Description: The goal of this thesis is to cast brominated PPO (BrPPO) and immerse the resulting liquid polymer film in a isopropanol/water mixture, resulting in a membrane with a porous structure which can then be functionalized further. This process is called non-solvent induced phase inversion (NIPS) and has been studied extensively in literature. There is, however, a research gap when it comes to the electrochemical properties of such porous membranes. We are particularly interested in whether these membranes could offer a way to break the selectivity/conductivity trade-off of conventional dense anion-exchange membranes and how the porous membranes can be further modified to help achieve this goal.
We are looking for: M.Sc. Chemical Engineering students with an interest in innovation, electrochemistry, polymer chemistry and a willingness to perform experiments.
Topic 3: Heat-to-power conversion via an electrochemical cell
We cannot disclose the details of this topic online, because it may be patentable. You can email Pavel Loktionov (p.a.l.loktionov@tudelft.nl) for more details.
Topic 4: An alternative anode reaction for CO2 electrolysis
We cannot disclose the details of this topic online, because it may be patentable. You can email Pavel Loktionov (p.a.l.loktionov@tudelft.nl) for more details.
Topic 5: CO2 compression
Type project: Experimental
Availability: February 2025
Description: In this project, you will explore a novel approach to CO2 compression. You will focus on understanding the phenomena occurring inside the CO2 compression unit and identifying the unit's limitations. Due to patent considerations, we cannot disclose more information online, but you can contact v.konderla@tudeftl.nl for more details.
Remarks: Preferably 42 ECTs MEP
Internships
Electromembrane separations towards sustainable industrial electrification
TNO is looking for a talented MSc student for the following internship/thesis project on electroseparation technologies for novel industrial processes.
Topic: Electromembrane separations towards sustainable industrial electrification
Background: electrochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, process engineering
Location: TNO Energy Transition (Rijswijk, The Netherlands)
Preferred starting date: 1 March 2025
Duration: 6 months
Monthly allowance: 650,- EUR
Application deadline: 31 December 2024
Link to vacancy: Vacancy Internship | Electromembrane separations towards sustainable industrial electrification at TNO in Rijswijk
Electrochemical oceanic CO2 removal
Electrochemical oceanic CO2 removal
Period: 3-6 months
Location: Amsterdam (with remote working option)
Contact person: Rose Sharifian (Rose@seao2.nl)