shared PhD Student (f/m/d) Thin film interferometry for resource processes

at  HelmholtzZentrum DresdenRossendorf

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.
The Institute of Fluid Dynamics is conducting basic and applied research in the fields of thermo-fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in order to improve the sustainability, the energy efficiency and the safety of industrial processes. The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology pursues the objective of developing innovative technologies for the economy so that mineral and metalliferous raw materials can be made available and used more efficiently and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. The Department of Research Technology develops dedicated research equipment ranging from experiment equipment to the level of complex and large research facilities.
The Departments “Processing”, “Transport Processes at Interfaces”, and “Research Technology” are looking for a shared PhD Student (f/m/d) Thin film interferometry for resource processes.

• In flotation and various other multiphase processes in chemical engineering, liquid film rupture is a key element for an efficient process performance and control, and needs to be better understood. This task will be performed in a highly attractive interdisciplinary environment. Concrete focus of the project is:
• Apply thin film interferometry to study the impact of heterogeneous surface properties on three phase contact formation and film rupture dynamics
• Perform supporting measurements to detail the physico-chemical mechanisms on the solid surface, e.g. Atomic Force Microscopy and inverse Gas Chromatography
• Support further development of existing thin film interferometry setups
• Apply thin film interferometry to study the stability and rupture of a liquid film under the presence of hydrophobic particles
• Measure the time scales for particle entry and dewetting for different hydrophobicities, surface heterogeneities and particle morphologies