This is a unique opportunity for Bachelor and master students who are about to write their thesis to join The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany for up to 9 months to conduct their research and write their thesis regarding specific topics provided by the institute.
KIT invites applications for students writing their masters or bachelor theses in a variety of research areas within Mechanical Engineering, electrical engineering, and physics in various topics. The period ranges from 3 months to 9 months where you will join one of the best technology institutes in the world. You will also get the opportunity to publish your research findings in top-notch peer reviewed journals as part of the project.
Below we provide you with each thesis topic, a brief description, and deadline for application with the direct link for application and further info about the project. Don't waste this opportunity!
Project Description:
The main goal of the master project will be to model and simulate magnetic, diamagnetic as well as inductive levitation micro-actuators in MatLab using the qualitative approach developed by our group jointly in cooperation between IMT and Hefei University of Technology, China.
Obtained results of the master thesis will be applied for our current project aimed on patterning of magnetic liposomes onto high-density peptide arrays to screen for synthetic ion channels and the developing a 2D array of cooperative hybrid levitation micro-actuators for supporting the levitation of arbitrary shaped micro-objects, performing their linear and angular positioning and transportation.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Project Description:
The paradigm shift in product sustainability has meant that it is no longer viewed as an optional add-on, but as an indispensable criterion. However, it is often overlooked that traditional sustainability assessments that focus primarily on production and service levels do not capture the full potential for resource savings. The most comprehensive impact can be achieved by redesigning products at the engineering level, which can minimize material requirements, energy consumption and waste production over the entire life cycle of the product.
To optimize this process, artificial intelligence (AI) approaches based on knowledge graphs could help accelerate and automate sustainability assessments. These approaches could help make optimal design and material decisions, improve life cycle simulations, and identify continuous improvement opportunities. There is already preliminary work that describes the connections and can serve as a starting point.
Tasks:
Conducting a literature review on sustainability assessments and knowledge graphs
Further development and enrichment of existing knowledge graphs by, for example, integrating new evaluation criteria, optimizing the modeled system, merging different graphs, expanding the possible uses in product development, identifying problem areas and limitations of the proposed approach
Application Deadline: Aug 20, 2024
Project Description:
Lignin, one of the most abundant renewable organic materials in the world, is a waste product of the paper industry. However, being an aromatic heteropolymer, lignin is the most promising renewable source for valuable aromatic compounds, which are currently synthesized from fossil oil, or the production of synthetic resins, pharmaceuticals and more.
The aqueous phase product downstream of the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of lignin consists of a complex mixture of phenolic compounds among which include guaiacol, catechol and phenol. Owing to similar physicochemical properties, their selective adsorption separation is challenging due to competition of one or more of the species for the active sites on the adsorbent surface. This competitive adsorption has an effect on both the rate and equilibrium adsorption capacity of the system, which is of vital interest in adsorption process design. It thus becomes imperative to look into how the interaction of these compounds affect these parameters using model compounds in a multi-component system.
Your Tasks:
A thorough literature review
Prepare solutions of aromatics with varying concentrations
Batch adsorption experiments in an thermostatic oscillator using adsorbents
Use of characterization techniques such as HPLC, FTIR, NMR, GC etc
Assessment and interpretation of results
Application Deadline: 19.08.2024
Project Description:
The goal of this work is it to gather basic experimental data on the Olsen cycle and to build a Simulink model that enables the simulation of the Olsen cycle. This model is then to be incorporated into our existing Energy Harvester model. Based on the completed model, you will design a demonstrator Energy Harvesting device. With your supervisors help, the demonstrator is to be build and evaluated on our test bench.
Your Tasks:
Thorough literature research
Basic experiments on the Olsen cycle
Modeling of the Olsen cycle and later incorporation into our Energy Harvester model
Designing and experimental evaluation of a demonstration device
Assessment of the results
Application Deadline: Open Until filled
Project Description:
The focus of this work is to develop and characterize chemical biofunctionalization methods, that are compatible with typical polymers used in bioanalytical applications.
Your tasks include:
Selection of polymers for testing
Stability testing of selected polymers using biofunctionalization chemicals derived from standard protocols
Substitution of incompatible chemicals
Testing standard and revised protocols in ELISAs
Testing standard and revised protocols in biosensor measurements using surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Project Description:
It has been shown previously that conductive layers can be used to eliminate the unwanted effect, but the setup required extensive machinery. The focus of this work is to apply metal coatings to SAW resonators using simple methods and then to test the metal-coated resonators in biosensor experiments.
Your tasks include:
Selection of metal (type and form) to be used as the conductive coating
Developing a protocol to apply the metal to the SAW resonators without the use of extensive machinery
Testing of the stability of the metal coatings
Characterization of the metal-coated SAW resonators
Testing of the performance of the metal-coated SAW resonators in a biosensor
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Project Description:
This project by Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) aims to develop a portable Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy device. The main task is to design a Ku-band microresonator as an EPR detector using PCB or LIGA fabrication technology. The goal is to enhance the sensitivity, resolution, and applicability of magnetic resonance, potentially leading to new discoveries in various scientific fields.
Your tasks includes:
Model, design and optimize an EPR detector (based on COMSOL, CST, or HFSS)
Participate in rapid prototyping (PCB fabrication/ Laser fabriation/ LIGA fabrication)
Characterization of microresonator
Assemble and perform EPR spectroscopy
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Project Description:
The specific engineering task of the candidate selected for the present project consists in mounting a microcontroller on a miniaturized rotary turbo-machine and ensure successful communication with the microcontroller under spinning conditions.
We are employing enthusiastic students who would like to work on the challenging and novel topic to addressing the following tasks:
Choose the appropriate microcontroller for this application.
Install the microcontroller on the turbine and establish wireless communication while spinning the turbine.
Design and implement a proof of concept experiment to demonstrate the success of the concept
You will be integrated in the larger team of the Spin & Photon Applications (SPA-) Laboratory. Within this project, you will use the infrastructure existent at the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), i.e., RF and electronics laboratory, testing equipment, micro-fabrication facilities. This is a complete project, offering the possibility to design, implement and test the concept, giving the student the opportunity to co-author conference and/or journal publications.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Project Description:
This project explores a new spectrum management approach using semi-transparent perovskite solar cells. These cells selectively absorb part of the solar spectrum for electricity, while the rest of the IR spectrum is absorbed by a solar thermal absorber for heat production. This thermally-decoupled design prevents overheating of the PV cells. The project involves fabricating and characterizing advanced energy materials, designing and testing a spectral-splitting PVT prototype, and developing a 3-D dynamic model for further optimization. Potential applications include high-efficiency hydrogen production, desalination, solar fuel generation, and industrial heating. Integration of these applications depends on student interests.
Application Deadline: Open Until filled
Project Description:
The aim of this Bachelor/Master thesis is to design, fabricate and characterize SMA-based micro- and nanoactuators for applications in nanophotonics using cleanroom techniques.
Your tasks include:
Characterization of SMA material properties (mechanical, electrical, thermal).
Micro- and nanofabrication of functional devices using clean room technology (electron beam lithography, reactive ion etching, etc.). This work will be supported by our experienced cleanroom staff.
Experimental characterization of actuator performance.
Building analytical and numerical (finite element) model of nanoactuators.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
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