A 12 months post-doctoral position is offered in the framework of the international ANR project NSPEM, between CEA, LEPMI and University of Simon Fraser Vancouver (Canada), dedicated to the development and characterization of fuel cells based on block copolymer electrolytes. This project aims at providing in-depth structural characterization of the electrolyte used both as proton-conducting membrane and ionomer in the catalytic layers by means of lab thermal/mechanical characterizations coupled to structural investigation by means of X-rays and neutron scattering experiments.

Quantum information technologies on silicon have raised an increasing interest over the last five years. CEA is pushing forward its own original platform based on the “silicon-on-insulator” (SOI) technology. The information is stored in the spin of carrier(s) trapped in quantum dots, which are etched in a thin silicon film and are controlled by metal gates. SOI has many assets: the patterning of the thin film can produce smaller, hence more scalable qubits; also, the use of the silicon substrate beneath as a back gate provides extra control over the quantum bits (qubits). Many aspects of the physics of silicon spin qubits are still poorly understood.

This postdoctoral fellowship is part of a Graphene Flagship H2020 european project on the energy storage applications of graphene. In lithium-ion batteries, graphene associated to nanostructured silicon in a proper composite helps increase the energy capacity. Indeed graphene wraps silicon, reducing its reactivity with electrolyte and the formation of the SEI passivation layer. It also maintains a high electrical conductivity within the electrode. The study will compare two technologies: graphene-silicon nanoparticles and graphene-silicon nanowires. The former composite, already explored in the above mentioned project, will be optimized in the present study.