Internship/Master thesis FBK-MIDAC on batteries - Development and validation of thermal managem[...]

Internship/Master thesis FBK-MIDAC on batteries - Development and validation of thermal management models for lithium-ion batteries

The Sustainable Energy Centre is searching for a young student interested in carrying out an internship/master thesis experience in the field of lithium-ion batteries in partnership with a battery manufacturer (MIDAC SpA, Soave (VR) – www.midacbatteries.com). This position is offered in the frame of the IPCEI European Battery Innovation (EuBatIn) in which both MIDAC and FBK participate.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and dynamic person with good organizational skills, a strong interest in engineering, modelling, and batteries, and is motivated to have a research experience at the interface between research and industry within an international context. Depending on the outcomes and the interests of the candidate, it will be possible to follow-up these research activities with a PhD grant or to apply for an open position in MIDAC.

The internship/master thesis will focus on the development of electro-thermal models of a lithium-ion battery module based on the knowledge and experience of an Italian battery manufacturer company (MIDAC SpA). MIDAC is part of the IPCEI (Important projects of Common European Interest) European Battery Innovation, and its research program covers the value chain of the lithium-ion batteries. MIDAC produces lithium-ion batteries for industrial and energy storage applications. Industrial batteries cover several applications, such as industrial vehicles (i.e., forklift and transpallet), cleaning machines, construction vehicles, naval applications, light transport vehicles, and so on. These wide fields of application require developing solutions suitable for a very broad temperature range, from cold storage up to warm places, and the thermal management plays a very important role in battery performance and lifetime.

The following phases of work are expected:

• Analysis of different mathematical models used for modelling the different lithium module components (such as mechanical chassis, lithium cells, thermal management system) at different levels of detail (from 3D to 1D).
• Identification of the models to be used based on the application considering both module (3D simulation) and system level (1D simulation).
• Study of existing libraries or tools for modelling lithium-ion batteries and thermal management systems focusing in particular on system level analyses.
• Development of real-time capable models of a lithium-ion battery module and its thermal management system with adequate accuracy.
• Model validation based on experimental measurements also participating in the experimental testing.

Candidate will be supported by FBK’s and MIDAC’s research teams during the internship/master thesis and the project can be developed using both FBK and MIDAC facilities.

Requirements:

• Enrolled in a Master degree in Energy, Chemical or Mathematical Engineering or similar.
• Basic knowledge of electrochemistry/batteries.
• Good knowledge of heat transfer phenomena.
• Good knowledge of either Italian or English language (both spoken and written).
• Know-how on computational methods and modelling tools.
• Good communication and relational skills.
• Self-motivation and result orientation.

Information of the internship:

Starting date: April 2023
Duration: minimum 6 months.

We also offer support for the search for accommodation at the affiliated structures and the canteen service (for students not belonging to UniTN).

For further details on the activities please contact Edoardo Gino Macchi (emacchi@fbk.eu).

For any support, further clarification and/or information, the Human Resources Department will remain available via the address: jobs@fbk.eu.