Thematic Classification of your Thesis:
Water electrolysis is a key technology for the sustainable production of hydrogen and plays a central role in future energy systems. The use of polymer-based materials in hydrogen-carrying pipelines offers significant economic advantages over metallic alternatives. At the same time, ensuring an adequate hydrogen barrier represents a major technical challenge, as hydrogen readily permeates many polymers due to its small atomic size and high diffusion coefficient.
By applying functionalised coatings through plasma-based processes, the surface properties of polymer-based pipelines can be tailored in a controlled manner. This approach allows the hydrogen permeation resistance to be substantially improved, enabling the use of these materials not only in water electrolysis but also in other electrochemical processes. To quantitatively characterise these barrier properties, a permeation setup has been developed, allowing precise determination of hydrogen permeability.
Background of your Thesis:
The IGF project PolyH2Pipe focuses on the development and experimental evaluation of polymer-based media lines, with a particular emphasis on applications in hydrogen electrolysis. The aim of the project is to systematically investigate and validate the relevant material properties of these media lines, in order to provide a well-founded assessment of their potential for use in practical application scenarios.
Scope of your Thesis:
As part of this thesis, you will commission the developed permeation test set-up. The work will begin with calibrating the measurement system and comparing the obtained data with literature values in order to confirm the plausibility of the results and determine the relevant measurement range. You will then optimise the developed coating system and examine its barrier performance against various gases, with particular emphasis on hydrogen. Depending on the scope of the project, the work may also include the controlled storage of the coating systems and the investigation of potential degradation mechanisms affecting the developed barrier systems.
I will assist you in familiarising yourself with the broad field of plasma coatings and take your creative ideas into consideration. Close supervision is essential, particularly for thesis projects, and will serve as the foundation for your successful completion.
Work Packages:
| For a Bachelor`s thesis, you will address the following tasks: | Additionally for a Master`s thesis: |
| Commissioning and calibration of the permeation testing system | Investigation of the degradation mechanisms of the developed barrier systems |
| Development and optimisation of a hydrogen barrier coating |
The specific content and timeline of your thesis will, of course, be determined in consultation with you, taking your prior knowledge into account.
Your Profile:
- Preferred fields of study:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Business Administration and Engineering: Mechanical Engineering/Materials and Process Engineering
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Applied Polymer Science
- Applied Chemistry
- Willingness to learn and engage with new challenges related to plasma technology
- An independent and structured approach to working
- Initial experience in a laboratory environment is desirable, but not essential
AG Plasma offers you a dynamic, young team in which you and your skills can grow during the course of your thesis, with clear objectives and diverse tasks.
If you are interested in contributing to the field of plastics processing with your creative ideas, please feel free to get in touch with me!