Bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, project work or research laboratory
© IKVThematic classification of your thesis:
Whether shopping in a supermarket, receiving a delivery from an online retailer, or using electronic devices, plastics have become an indispensable part of modern life. While they offer a wide range of properties and applications, they also exhibit significant drawbacks, such as limited biodegradability. Consequently, there is considerable interest in identifying approaches that enhance the recyclability of plastics and thereby contribute to closing the material loop. This is where the Plasma Group at the IKV focuses its research activities. By depositing functional coatings using plasma-based processes, the surface properties of plastics can be tailored in a targeted manner. As a result, key characteristics such as gas permeability, scratch resistance, wettability, and chemical resistance can be deliberately controlled. Plasma technology therefore opens up entirely new possibilities across numerous application areas, including the automotive, packaging, medical, and electronics industries, and represents a valuable technology for a more sustainable future.
In the Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) process, a process gas is ionised through the coupling of microwave energy and transformed into a plasma state. The reactive species generated in this way initiate a cascade of fragmentation and chemical reactions that ultimately leads to the formation of the desired coating. Fragmentation plays a particularly important role, as it significantly influences the resulting surface chemistry and, consequently, the properties of the deposited layer.
However, the large number of physical and chemical processes occurring within the plasma, together with their complex interactions, makes an experimental investigation of the underlying mechanisms challenging. In particular, understanding fragmentation processes and the resulting species distributions is essential for the targeted adjustment of coating properties. Consequently, simulation-based approaches are becoming increasingly important, as they enable a detailed analysis of plasma dynamics and can contribute to the optimisation of coating processes.
Scope of your Thesis:
The goal of this thesis is to develop a simulation model for the description of low-pressure plasmas. To this end, a literature review will first be conducted to identify relevant theoretical and numerical approaches. Based on these findings, a zero-dimensional plasma model for diatomic gases will initially be developed. Subsequently, polyatomic molecules will be analysed with respect to their distribution functions and their contribution to plasma-relevant processes. Building upon these results, the model will be extended to a one-dimensional description. Depending on the scope of the thesis, the model may finally be expanded to a two-dimensional (2D) representation for the gases under investigation.
Your tasks:
| For a Bachelor's thesis you will work on the following tasks: | In addition, for a Master's thesis you will work on: |
| Literature review of existing models | Model validation using literature data |
| Development of a 0D model for diatomic gases | Extension to a 2D model |
| Analysis of polyatomic gases | |
| Extension to a 1D model |
The scope and schedule of the thesis will be individually agreed upon and tailored to your prior knowledge and interests. In addition, there is the possibility of addressing the topic in a modified form within the framework of a research laboratory or a project-based module.
Your profile:
- A degree in engineering or the natural sciences (e.g., simulation sciences, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, physics, mathematics, materials science, environmental engineering…)
- Willingness to engage with and acquire knowledge of new topics and problem areas related to plasma technology
- An independent and structured approach to working
- Initial experience with simulation work 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!