Design of biomimetic Anti-icing surfaces

TN France; Villeneuve-d'Ascq; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

An exciting opportunity awaits for a PhD candidate to explore innovative biomimetic anti-icing surfaces. This role involves cutting-edge research at Lille University, focusing on developing energy-efficient refrigeration solutions inspired by nature. You will engage in hands-on experimentation using advanced techniques like femtosecond laser ablation and surface modification to create unique stainless steel surfaces. This position not only contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances energy efficiency in the refrigeration industry. Join a collaborative team and make a significant impact in this vital field starting October 1st!

Qualifications

• Experience in biomimetic design and development of anti-icing surfaces.
• Knowledge of laser ablation techniques and electrochemistry.

Responsabilités

• Develop biomimetic anti-icing surfaces for refrigeration systems.
• Conduct experiments to characterize surface properties in cold environments.

Connaissances

Biomimetic Design

Laser Ablation

Electrochemistry

Surface Modification

Research and Development

Formation

PhD in Engineering or Related Field

Outils

Femtosecond Laser

Electrochemical Equipment

Description du poste

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Design of biomimetic Anti-icing surfaces, Villeneuve-d'Ascq

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Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

32f704020053

Job Views:

2

Posted:

08.05.2025

Expiry Date:

22.06.2025

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Job Description:

A three year PhD position,co-funded by the french national research agency (ANR) and Région Hauts de France will be available starting from 1st. October at Lille University (IEMN and UMET). This project is part of an ANR project (COOLISSE), coordinated by IEMN.

Refrigeration is an energy-intensive industry (20% of national electricity) and has till now used greenhouse gases emitting primary refrigerants (CFC). To this extent, the development of new refrigeration systems or the modifications of existing systems to minimize energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions is therefore increasingly considered and greatly necessary. One existing alternative is the use of secondary refrigeration that uses of refrigerant (ice slurry) that appear to be an interesting solution. However, these systems are also very energy intensive, especially because of the mechanical means used (scraper) to generate the ice crystals. So, designing new type of anti-icing surfaces is an effective way to improve energy efficiency by optimizing the energy transfer and by limiting the need of surface scraping and cleaning. Our aim is therefore to develop stainless steel surfaces where formed ice could be carried away by the fluid flow, without the need of any mechanical scraping.
To overcome these limitations we propose to develop, using a biomimetic approach, highly textured surfaces impregnated with a liquid of low surface tension (usually an inert oil immiscible with water), called “Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces” (SLIPS) [1]. The Nepenthes pitcher plant served as an example due to its specific structures combining micro and nanoscale roughness retaining wax. The design rules for such surfaces consist in optimizing their retention of the lubricant, through both physical structuration and chemical modification, according to the intended application. While some SLIPS surfaces have already been reported for their anti-icing effect, only a few papers study the texturing of stainless steel, which remains essential for our application [2].
These original non-wetting micro/nanostructured surfaces, inspired from nature, with anti-icing properties will be obtained by a combination of original and efficient processes: femtosecond laser ablation and electrochemistry to reach a multiscale and very dense textured stainless-steel surface as well as surface modification (by atmospheric plasma). These surfaces will be then infused by inert liquid in order to obtain slippery infused surface (SLIPS).
A collaboration with the FRISE-INRAE group will be used to characterize the fabricated surfaces in a cold environment.

[1] T.S. Wong et al, Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity, Nature, , –.
[2] S. Zouaghi et al., Antifouling Biomimetic Liquid-Infused Stainless Steel: Application to Dairy Industrial Processing, ACS Appl. Mat. Interfaces 9 -.

Topic description

A three year PhD position,co-funded by the french national research agency (ANR) and Région Hauts de France will be available starting from 1st. October at Lille University (IEMN and UMET). This project is part of an ANR project (COOLISSE), coordinated by IEMN.

Refrigeration is an energy-intensive industry (20% of national electricity) and has till now used greenhouse gases emitting primary refrigerants (CFC). To this extent, the development of new refrigeration systems or the modifications of existing systems to minimize energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions is therefore increasingly considered and greatly necessary. One existing alternative is the use of secondary refrigeration that uses of refrigerant (ice slurry) that appear to be an interesting solution. However, these systems are also very energy intensive, especially because of the mechanical means used (scraper) to generate the ice crystals. So, designing new type of anti-icing surfaces is an effective way to improve energy efficiency by optimizing the energy transfer and by limiting the need of surface scraping and cleaning. Our aim is therefore to develop stainless steel surfaces where formed ice could be carried away by the fluid flow, without the need of any mechanical scraping.
To overcome these limitations we propose to develop, using a biomimetic approach, highly textured surfaces impregnated with a liquid of low surface tension (usually an inert oil immiscible with water), called “Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces” (SLIPS) [1]. The Nepenthes pitcher plant served as an example due to its specific structures combining micro and nanoscale roughness retaining wax. The design rules for such surfaces consist in optimizing their retention of the lubricant, through both physical structuration and chemical modification, according to the intended application. While some SLIPS surfaces have already been reported for their anti-icing effect, only a few papers study the texturing of stainless steel, which remains essential for our application [2].
These original non-wetting micro/nanostructured surfaces, inspired from nature, with anti-icing properties will be obtained by a combination of original and efficient processes: femtosecond laser ablation and electrochemistry to reach a multiscale and very dense textured stainless-steel surface as well as surface modification (by atmospheric plasma). These surfaces will be then infused by inert liquid in order to obtain slippery infused surface (SLIPS).
A collaboration with the FRISE-INRAE group will be used to characterize the fabricated surfaces in a cold environment.

[1] T.S. Wong et al, Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity, Nature, , –.
[2] S. Zouaghi et al., Antifouling Biomimetic Liquid-Infused Stainless Steel: Application to Dairy Industrial Processing, ACS Appl. Mat. Interfaces 9 -.

Starting date

-10-02

Funding category

Public funding alone (i.e. government, region, European, international organization research grant)

Funding further details

co-funding ANR/Région Hauts de France