Thermochemical materials for thermal management applications

Project Summary

Thermal management is used to reduce the amount of excess heat generated in various processes and systems to protect and cool critical components, for instance batteries or electronics. For instance, overheating and thermal runaway is a huge issue with lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and can result in fires.

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) can be used to store and release heat during chemical processes, for instance, salt hydrates can dehydrate on heating and rehydrate on cooling. PCMs have applications as energy storage materials, but have wider uses in the thermal management of systems.

This project will study a range of salt hydrate materials, which dehydrate in the temperature range 60-150 °C and have potential for use in various thermal management applications, such as in battery management systems and fire protection.

In the first instance, the initial application of cover letter and CV should be directed to:

Caroline Kirk, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK. Email: Caroline.Kirk@ed.ac.uk

The position will remain open until filled. A closing date may be added at a later date.

IMPORTANT

Before Submitting your cover letter and CV, please complete the online School of Chemistry Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Form, entry 2025-26.

The form will automatically generate a unique ‘Response ID number’ that you must include in your cover letter.

Equality and Diversity

The School of Chemistry holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. The University is a member of the Race Equality Charter and is a Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion, actively promoting LGBT equality.

The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment.

For further information, please see our University Initiatives website:

https://equality-diversity.ed.ac.uk/inclusion/family-and-carer