The thesis will be housed in the Applied Mechanics Department (~110 people including ~50 teacher-researchers, researchers and technicians). The Mat'éco team is structured around two areas of application: bio-based composite materials and hydrogen storage. It has around ten PhD and Masters students working on multiscale and multimodal experimental techniques and numerical simulations using finite elements or discrete elements, with the aim of considering thermo-mechanical couplings as well as chemical, hydrous or gaseous couplings.

Context :
The relevance of hydrogen as an energy carrier and its role in the ecological transition are well established. Safe, energy-efficient storage solutions are the sine qua non of its green credentials. A long-term storage solution will need to be able to reinvest green hydrogen from electrolysis during peaks in consumption, thanks to the overproduction of electricity from renewable sources (wind, hydro, solar, etc.) during periods of under-consumption. The solid storage of H2 by reversible hydriding of intermetallic alloys, usually in powder form, is a promising technology because it is safe, requires no heavy infrastructure and offers excellent energy efficiency, since it is produced at low pressure (from 1 to 10 bars: little compression, fewer leaks) and at near-ambient temperatures (between 10 and 80°C).

DESCRIPTION OF CYCLAHMID PROJECT (CYCLage des Alliages Hydrurés : MIcrostructure et Décrépitation) :
This thesis is part of a Graduate School EUR EIPHI project, with support from the Bourgogne-Franche Comté region. The CYCLAHMID project explores the problem of the microstructure - storage - decay link through the comparative study of two intermetallics and an HEA. In this project, you will benefit from the combination of DMA/FEMTO ST's expertise in multi-scale mechanical characterisation and working under hydrogen and PMDM/ICB's expertise in structural and microstructural characterisation of high-reactivity materials.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS :
Master student in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Sciences, final year of engineering school or already graduated.
• Knowledge in mechanics of metallic materials, including production processes, characterization and mechanical and microstructural modelling, are expected. An interest in experimentation, materials characterization and the development of new experimental techniques would be an advantage. Knowledge of solid phase change materials or in hydrogen as an energy carrier frame would be appreciated, but is not essential.
• Most of all, we are looking for candidates who are rigorous, methodical and committed.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for scientific communication (articles, international conferences).

Starting date : 2025 September / October