Jobs opportunities

Atomistic Insights into Contaminant Outgassing and Deposition in Polymer-Based Satellite Materials 

Using Advanced Molecular Simulations

We are looking for a candidate for a PhD thesis focused on understanding the microscopic mechanisms of the degassing process in polymers in a space environment.

Exposed to the space environment, many of the materials, such as polymers, that make up satellites release molecules through outgassing, known as contaminants. These contaminants can be transported in droplet and cluster form, then recondense by forming droplets or wetting films according to the wetting properties on sensitive surfaces of the satellite, significantly altering their physical properties. The main consequences of this contamination include the loss of transmittance in optical instruments, a decrease in the output power of solar panels, and changes in the absorptivity coefficient of thermal coatings. The objective of this work is to study these phenomena at the microscopic scale to better understand and predict them. Specifically, two phenomena will be examined: i) the outgassing processes of contaminant molecules trapped in the polymer matrix and interacting through physical forces (van der Waals and electrostatic interactions), including their transport/dynamics from the bulk to the gas phase through the polymer/gas interface, and ii) the interactions between contaminant deposition and the polymer in their droplet or film form. To date no work have been tackled this problematic at the atomistic scale. The objective is to improve our atomistic understanding of these phenomena in order to predict and control them.

Nowadays, molecular simulation has become a powerful method for understanding the physical properties of condensed matter at the microscopic scale. The aim of this thesis project is to use advanced molecular simulation tools (molecular dynamics (MD), Monte Carlo, osmotic MD, and coarse-grained simulations) to investigate the nanoconfinement of trapped molecules within polymeric frameworks, outgassing processes, and the interactions between polymer surfaces and contaminant deposition

We emphasize the importance of a strong application, requiring excellent academic results. The candidate selection will likely take place through a competitive process at the SIE doctoral school at Paris-Est Val de Marne University.

Applicants should have a master in physics, chemistry or materials science with strong background in physics, physical chemistry, chemical physics. They should demonstrate an interest in numerical/theoretical work, programming, molecular simulation, Monte Carlo method or statistical physics.

Host laboratory

Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux (ICMPE, UMR-CNRS 7182)
Paris-Est, ICMPE – CNRS – UPEC                                                                                         

2-8, rue Henri Dunant
94320 THIAIS-France

Thesis coordinators

Aziz Ghoufi

Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux (ICMPE, UMR-CNRS 7182)
Paris-Est, ICMPE – CNRS – UPEC                                                                                         

2-8, rue Henri Dunant
94320 THIAIS-France

Contact: aziz.ghoufi@u-pec.fr

Guillaume Roiland and Delphine Faye

CNES-DTN/QE/LE : Laboratoires et Expertises

18 avenue Edouard Belin 31401 Toulouse Cedex 9