2014-04-22

Postdoctoral fellowship in 3D electron microscopy studies of nanoparticles and nanoparticle arrays

Re. SU FV-1248-14. Last application date: 2014-05-09.


Stockholm University, a modern university with a multicultural environment, is one of the world’s top 100 higher education institutes. Here more than 60,000 students and 5,000 staff are active within science, the humanities and the social sciences. Stockholm is a cultural hub and economic centre, with many green areas and surrounded by water, making it an ideal place in which to enjoy a relaxed and exciting student life.
         MMK is a leading institution in materials synthesis and structure characterization. We have recently obtained a large grant for the project “3D Electron Microscopy for Nanostructure Research (3DEM- NATUR)” from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The 3DEM-NATUR project aims at developing new transmission electron microscopy methods to obtain 3D structural information for studying atomic and mesoscopic arrangements in solids, on surfaces and at interfaces. More information about the 3DEM-NATUR project can be found at http://www.mmk.su.se/page.php?pid=945.
         We are interested in studying nanoparticles and self-assembled nanoparticle arrays using various 3-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Techniques involve the recently developed Rotation Electron Diffraction (RED) method and other EM techniques such as electron tomography, and STEMHAADF, STEMEELS and electron holography may also be applied.

Assessment criteria
The candidate must have obtained a PhD degree in chemistry, physics, materials science or other relevant field no more than three years prior the application deadline, unless there are special circumstances that should be taken into account. These might be illness, parental leave, union duties or similar. The applicant should have excellent English language skills, both oral and written communication.
         Proven experience in TEM and nanoparticle synthesis is essential. Experience in nanoparticle assembly and crystallography is desirable.

Terms of employment
The scholarship is for one year with the possibility of one-year extension. The preferred starting date is 4th of August 2014.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and offers equal opportunities to everyone.

More information
For further information about the position, please contact German Salazar-Alvarez, telephone +46-(0)8-163942 or german@mmk.su.se

Application
The application should be written in Swedish or English and contain:
    – Cover letter describing the interest and skills of the applicant
    – CV with publication list (including DOI),
    – Copy of PhD degree certificate,
    – Contact information for 2 reference persons

Welcome with your application, marked with the reference number SU FV-1248-14, no later than 9 May, 2014 by e-mail to: registrator@su.se.

Applications that are submitted electronically should be in Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF format. Please include the reference number SU FV-1248-14 also in the message line.

2014-04-02

[OPEN ACCESS] Carbon aerogels from bacterial nanocellulose as anodes for lithium ion batteries - RSC Advances

Liping Wang, Christina Schütz, German Salazar-Alvarez, and M. Magdalena Titirici
RSC Advances, 2014
DOI: 10.1039/C3RA47853J


Abstract:
Carbon aerogels with large open pores and high surface area are fabricated via pyrolysis of a readily available natural resource, e.g., bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) aerogels. Freeze-drying of the BNC hydrogels is used to preserve the 3D open network structure upon calcination whereas using Fe(III) improves the yield and H/C ratio. These carbon aerogels are explored as anodes in lithium ion batteries where it is shown that they deliver superior capacity retention and rate performance compared to other carbon-based materials.