PhD Position on Microfluidic Elastocaloric Cooling (f/m/d)

In Germany, cooling comprises around 20% of total electricity consumption. A promising alternative to conventional cooling methods is elastocaloric cooling, which utilizes stress-induced temperature changes in superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs). Unlike traditional systems, elastocaloric cooling avoids the environmental risks associated with refrigerant leakage, as it relies on solid-state materials. Moreover, it offers high efficiency potential, with material-level performance approaching thermodynamic limits.

This project aims to develop a next-generation high-performance elastocaloric cooling device based on microfluidic-integrated shape memory alloys. The objective is to design and fabricate microchannels within superelastic SMA materials and use them to build an elastocaloric cooling device. By enhancing heat transfer through these microchannel structures, the project seeks to improve cooling performance and enable new opportunities for sustainable cooling applications. This interdisciplinary research lies at the interface of materials science, mechanical engineering, and microtechnology, and is highly relevant for various applications, including battery thermal management in electric vehicles and the cooling of critical electronic components.

Organizational unit

Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT)

Job description

You have the following tasks:

• Design and fabricate microchannels within superelastic SMA materials
• Material characterization of refrigerants superelastic shape memory alloys (mechanical, thermal, fatigue life)
• Modelling, design and characterization of test structures and devices (FEM multiphysics, lumped element modelling)
• Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of cooling demonstrator variants
• Simulation-based design optimization

The IMT is equipped with an array of state-of-the-art facilities, including a 600 m² clean room, advanced rapid prototyping capabilities like lithography, 3D printing and laser cutting, construction and connection technology labs, as well as various metrology laboratories. The position is within the ZEco Thermal Lab of Dr. Jingyuan Xu.

The activity offers the opportunity for a part-time doctorate.

Starting date

as soon as possible

Personal qualification

• Excellent degree (MSc) in mechanical engineering or a related field
• Knowledge of mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer, microsystems technology
• Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing
• High proficiency in spoken and written English

Salary

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Contract duration

3 years with the possibility to extend for one year

Application up to

31.10.2025

Contact person in line-management

For further information please contact Dr. Jingyuan Xu, email: jingyuan.xu@kit.edu

Please apply online using the button below for this vacancy number 396/2025.

Vacancy number: 396/2025