Join Our Team
Scientific Staff
Job opportunities for research assistants, PhD students, postdocs, and technicians are regularly posted on the TUHH job portal.
Student Researchers
We continuously offer positions for student assistants and student theses (Bachelor/Master) in the following research areas:
Biorefinery – Contact: Dr. Carsten Zetzl
Nanoporous Materials – Contacts: Dr. Baldur Schroeter, Dr. Pavel Gurigov
Molecular Methods for Separation Processes – Contact: Dr. Simon Müller
For currently available topics, see below or reach out to the respective group leader.
Simulation of Hydrogel Mechanics using Innovative Tetrapod Particle Geometries
Simulation of Hydrogel Mechanics using Innovative Tetrapod Particle Geometries
Supervisor: Lara Gibowsky
Topic: Computational Modeling / Particle Technology / Mechanics of Materials
Available for: Master's Thesis
Project Description
This project investigates an innovative and relatively unexplored approach: using tetrapod-shaped
multisphere particles to represent the 3D hydrogel architecture. In this simulation framework, the tetrapods
model the polymer network, enclosing spherical meso-particles that mimic the water phase. This structure
allows the polymer network to absorb compressive loads while interacting with the fluid phase.
By integrating experimental mechanics with simulation-driven analysis, this work aims to optimize particle-
based processes (contributing to UN SDG 9) and minimize the need for extensive physical experimentation
(UN SDG 12).
Your Tasks
The current model achieves a qualitative match for damping behavior, but further development is needed
for quantitative accuracy. Your specific tasks will include:
• Model Optimization: Improve the computational performance of the existing model.
• Viscoelastic Modeling: Incorporate a viscous term to accurately reproduce experimental
damping effects.
• Geometry Tuning: Refine the tetrapod geometry to enable realistic water movement and
interaction within the matrix.
• Calibration & Validation: Calibrate the model parameters against experimental data and validate
the model for different solvents.
Expected Results
• A validated numerical model of hydrogel particles under compressive loading.
• New insights into the influence of particle geometry on the mechanical behavior of hydrogels.
• A robust framework for future studies on hydrogel mechanics.
Requirements
• Background in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Computational Science, or Physics.
• Interest in numerical simulations (e.g., Discrete Element Method - DEM).
• Programming or scripting skills are beneficial.
• Ability to work independently and analytically.
We Offer
• Insight into cutting-edge research on soft matter simulation.
• Supervision in a supportive research environment at TUHH and TU Graz.
• Contribution to sustainable engineering solutions.
• Master Thesis in cooperation with the TU Graz (remote).
Start: Anytime
Contact: Lara Gibowsky, +49 40 30601 2134, lara.gibowsky@tuhh.de (Supervision: in Cooperation with
Lukas Maier from TU Graz)
Calibration of a Raman Spectroscopy Measuring Setup of a Large Scale Supercritical Drying Plant
Supervisor: Dennis Arigbe
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental
Available for: HiWi, Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
For optimizing the supercritical drying of aerogels, it is crucial to understand the drying kinetics, especially on a larger scale. A new large-scale plant is installed in the technical hall to measure this. One important property that needs to be monitored therefore is the development of the CO2/solvent mixture composition throughout the entire drying process at various measuring points. Raman spectroscopy is used as the analysis tool, because it has several advantages, like a low measure volume.
To get reliable composition results, a very important step is to calibrate the measuring setup properly. For the parameters like pressure, temperature and mixture composition in the expected regions, different measuring points need to be evaluated and measured. After postprocessing of the arising data, the calibration results need to be regressed with a suitable model.
Objectives:
- Measuring the Raman signals at different Parameters
- Postprocessing of the data
- Regression of the experimental data
- Validation of the regression model
Supercritical CO2 Drying: Evaluation of System Dynamics for the Determination of Transient Kinetics
Supervisor: Alberto Bueno
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental and Theoretical
Available for: Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
In order to produce nanoporous solid materials such as aerogels it is required to dry a wet gel without disrupting the porous structure of it. Different drying techniques such as freeze drying have been developed in order to preserve the nanoporous structure. Supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) drying has been proven to be a universal drying technique and gives the best results to produce aerogels. The misconception that scCO₂ drying is an expensive and time-consuming technique has limited this technique to just the lab scale.
Recently, it has been proven that scCO₂ drying is feasible at an industrial scale and can compete with standard drying techniques. To further attract industrial attention, better analytical tools which allow a better measurement of the drying kinetics are necessary. Measuring the scCO₂ drying kinetics has proven a challenge since the density and viscosity of the bulk fluid are changing constantly during the process.
In order to determine the real drying kinetics from the experimental data, it is required to develop mathematical algorithms which correlate the system flow dynamics with the data obtained during the drying experiments. The corrected data obtained can be applied in mathematical models in order to optimize the whole process.
Objectives:
- Non-steady state residence time distributions are to be determined and fitted to RTD models.
- A deconvolution algorithm is used to recover the real kinetics which are going to be used to evaluate a mathematical model describing the process.
- Determination of RTD distribution at different conditions of temperature, pressure and CO₂/solvent compositions.
- Effect of the internal geometry of the autoclave in the drying kinetics.
- Development of a deconvolution algorithm in Python.
- Further development of a mathematical model which represents the process (Python).
Development of a Cellulose Based High Performance Thermal Insulation Aerogel
Supervisor: Alberto Bueno Morales
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental
Available for: Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
Cellulose is one of the most abundant polymers on earth which is readily available from many sources including waste streams from many processes. The upcycling of this streams into a high performance product which will in turn increase the thermal efficiency of processes, building etc. will have a huge impact on the near future. By taking advantage of the cellulose properties together with the amazing attributes that aerogels can bring, the development of a high performance thermal insulation that outperforms any commercial available thermal insulation can be achieved.
Objectives:
- Screening of different reaction conditions.
- Screening of different gelation baths.
- Screening of different post-processing step.
Development of a Low Energy Ethanol Dehydration Process
Supervisor: Alberto Bueno Morales
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental
Available for: Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
The production of green aerogels consumes large quantities of ethanol. To develop an efficient and cost effective aerogel production process the energy required to recover the ethanol streams should be reduced to a minimum. During this master thesis the student will have the opportunity to develop an innovative adsorption process for the dehydration of an ethanol stream. Using a mixture of experiments and modelling the optimal process architecture and parameters are going to be derived
Objectives:
- The aim of this project is to design a high efficient and low-energy ethanol dehydration process.
- Determination of RTD distribution at different conditions.
- Evaluation of kinetics and thermodynamic equilibrium using dynamic adsorption experiments.
- Development and evaluation of an energy efficient regeneration procedure
- Modeling of the process at different levels using a combination of Python, Comsol and Flowsheeting simulations.
- Proposal of a scaled-up process.
Analysis of the Influence of Solvent Exchange on the Porous Structure of Stimuli-Responsive Gels
Supervisor: Kathrin Marina Eckert
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental
Available for: Hiwi, Project Work, Bachelor Thesis,Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
Stimuli-responsive gels undergo significant but reversible configurational changes caused by external influences. Solvent uptake leads to expansion of the polymer chains and the gel swells, while suppression of the solvent out of the polymer matrix leads to shrinkage of the gel.
The conformational change of the gels takes place as a response to external stimuli, such as changes in temperature or the solvent composition in the bulk phase. This characteristic behavior offers a wide range of applications, however, due to the insufficient understanding of the special swelling behavior of the gels, the final application of stimuli-responsive gels in various (separation) processes has so far only been established in a few areas.
Objectives:
- Analysis of structural changes of gels during solvent exchange
- Synthesis of the gels and analysis of swelling degrees
- Analysis of gel structure using different analytical methods (FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual analysis of macroscopic swelling state)
- Analysis of changing stiffness in distinct solvents
Synthesis of Electro-Responsive Gels and Their Application for Electrowetting of Carbon Nanotubes
Supervisors: Kathrin Marina Eckert and Patrick Kißling (mail & phone)
Research field: Nanoporous Material
Work type: Experimental
Available for: Bachelor Thesis,Master Thesis
Start date: Flexible
Project brief:
Stimuli-responsive gels undergo significant but reversible configurational changes caused by external influences. Solvent uptake leads to expansion of the polymer chains and the gel swells, while suppression of the solvent out of the polymer matrix leads to shrinkage of the gel.
The conformational change of the gels takes place as a response to external stimuli, such as changes in temperature or the solvent composition in the bulk phase. This characteristic behaviour offers a wide range of applications, however, due to the insufficient understanding of the special swelling behaviour of the gels, the final application of stimuli-responsive gels in various (separation) processes has so far only been established in a few areas.
Due to their chemical inertia and high temperature stability, carbon nano tubes (CNTs) along with ceramics, are widely used as support materials for catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis. In order to further develop heterogeneous catalysis, renewable raw materials shall be implemented as educts, but these have varying quality. To conserve the catalyst, it must be protected e.g. by an electro-responsive polymer.
Objectives:
- Analysis of structural changes of gels due to electro response
- Synthesis of the gels used and analysis of swelling degrees
- Examination of the gel structure using different analytical methods
- Strength measurements of the gels produced during electrical response <=> setup development
- Membrane production from the electro-responsive polymers
- Setup development for diffusion tests during electrical response
- Layer thickness optimization
- Analysis of changes in wetting behaviour of CNTs in various polymer gels
- Embedding commercial CNTs in various polymer gels
- Coating of commercial CNTs in various polymer gels
- Examination of the gel structure using different analytical methods
- Strength measurements of the gels produced during electrical response <=> setup development
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