Postdoctoral Researcher COMPEL-Energy Sciences: Focus on Thermal Runaway Modeling

Lunds Universitet · Vollzeit

Box 118, Lund, Schweden

Workplace Description This position is affiliated with the Division of Heat Transfer at the Department of Energy Sciences. The division conducts research and education on energy generation, conversion, and use in various electro- and thermomechanical systems where studies of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, reactive flows, and structural mechanics play a central role. In particular, improved understanding of turbulent, reactive, and multiphase flows combined with materials science and new manufacturing techniques are key to improved heat transfer mechanisms and more efficient energy use. The division has approximately 25 colleagues, of whom 15 are doctoral students. At the international level, we collaborate with universities and institutes in Europe, Asia, and North America. More information about the Division of Heat Transfer is available at: https://www.ht.energy.lth.se/english/ COMPEL, "COMPetence for the ELectrification of the transport system," is a strategic initiative from the Swedish government, aimed at strengthening research and educational environments within battery technology and electrification. Within COMPEL, the three higher education institutions Chalmers University of Technology, Lund University, and Uppsala University, in consultation with key actors in Swedish industry, are deepening their collaboration to strengthen Sweden's position in batteries and electrification of the transport sector and related areas. The initiative aims to strengthen research and educational efforts related to the battery field with the goal of ensuring that relevant research in battery technology for electrification of the transport sector is maintained and further developed in Sweden. COMPEL research spans the entire battery value chain: from materials research, research on new cell concepts and cell manufacturing, battery systems and system integration, recycling, to battery safety. At Lund University with Lund University of Technology, COMPEL is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening research environments in battery technology and electrification in a way that complements relevant research at other institutions and builds on our strengths. COMPEL at Lund University initially includes researchers from ten departments, and three research areas have been identified for strategic development: materials research, integration of batteries with power electronics, and safe energy storage. On the education side, the number of places in several civil engineering programs is being expanded, and the course offering related to battery technology and electrification is being strengthened. This research environment is a wealth of resources and opportunities for those who want to develop their careers and make a difference in the transition toward a sustainable future. Specific Subject Description This project focuses on the development of GPU-accelerated, high-resolution simulation models for thermal runaway in lithium-ion battery cells, modules, battery packs, and complete battery systems. Thermal runaway is a chain reaction that leads to an uncontrolled release of the energy stored in a battery cell, which can result in fires and other dangerous events that are difficult to contain. As battery systems become larger and more complex, there is an increased need for computationally efficient predictive tools that can describe the underlying physical and chemical processes across multiple scales. The project will be conducted in collaboration with Scania Industrial Battery Systems and partners within COMPEL. The main objective of the postdoctoral project is to develop next-generation GPU-based simulation methodology in OpenFOAM to predict the initiation and propagation of thermal runaway at the cell and module level. Special emphasis will be placed on leveraging modern heterogeneous computing architectures to enable large-scale, high-resolution simulations of reactive flows. The models developed at the cell level will subsequently be coupled to simulations at the module, pack, and system level to improve the ability to predict how thermal runaway propagates in practical battery systems. Work Tasks As a postdoctoral researcher, work tasks primarily involve conducting research. Teaching may also be included in the work tasks, but no more than one-fifth of working time. Within the scope of the employment, there is the opportunity for three weeks of university pedagogical education. The purpose of the employment is to develop your independence as a researcher and create conditions for further advancement. Your main work tasks and areas of responsibility are to: Develop and implement GPU-accelerated models and numerical methods for thermal runaway in OpenFOAM. Design and optimize computational frameworks for high-performance simulation of reactive flows and battery safety-related phenomena on modern GPU architectures. Conduct research in related areas such as battery modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and high-performance computing (HPC). Analyze simulation results and publish research results in leading scientific journals and present them at international conferences. Collaborate with industrial and academic partners within Scania Industrial Battery Systems and the COMPEL network. Cooperate with the research group to develop innovative methods within battery safety, CFD, and GPU-based computational technology. Contribute to applications for external research funding and participate in the development of future research initiatives. Participate in teaching, including supervision of doctoral students and advanced-level theses. Qualifications Eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a doctorate degree, or a foreign degree that is assessed as equivalent to a doctorate degree, within the subject area of the employment. Evidence that the qualification requirement is met must be submitted no later than when the employment decision is made. Primarily, the applicant in question should have completed their degree no more than three years before the final application deadline. If there are special reasons, the doctorate degree may have been completed earlier. See the full announcement at https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:967435/