Master Thesis- Creating a flat sodium surface

Master thesis project 2025 

Background
Knowing how to obtain a flat metallic sodium surface is critical for developing sodium metal batteries. Handling metallic sodium is challenging because its surface is soft and reactive, making it difficult to control its morphology and purity. Cleaning a sodium surface or electrodepositing sodium often results in an uneven surface. This is problematic as an uneven surface promotes dendrite formation and introduces uncertainties when studying the system. Currently, there is no extensive literature on how to achieve a flat and pure sodium surface. Therefore, this project aims to establish a foundation for creating and maintaining a flat metallic sodium surface.

Scope
The project will span one semester (30 hp), starting in the first quarter of 2025. It will be conducted at Uppsala University in collaboration with Volvo Group Trucks Technology in Gothenburg.

The work will include:
•    Reviewing literature on electrochemical metal deposition and anodic leveling.
•    Defining, together with supervisors, various approaches to create a flat sodium surface using electrochemical polishing, physical methods, or chemical methods, with an emphasis on electrochemical polishing.
•    Conducting experiments to create and characterize a flat metallic sodium surface.
•    Evaluating each approach at the end of the project in terms of strengths and weaknesses based on experimental results and theoretical insights.

Student profile
This thesis project is suitable for a master student in natural sciences or engineering with an educational background in chemistry, physics, or materials science. The work requires prior knowledge of batteries, electrochemical methods, and surface chemistry.

Contacts
Simon Colbin, Volvo Group Trucks Technology (simon.colbin@volvo.com)
Viktor Vanoppen, Uppsala University (viktor.vanoppen@kemi.uu.se)

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Who we are and what we believe in 
Our focus on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity allows each of us the opportunity to bring our full authentic self to work and thrive by providing a safe and supportive environment, free of harassment and discrimination. 

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, across the globe, our trucks, buses, engines, construction equipment, financial services, and solutions make modern life possible. We are almost 100,000 people empowered to shape the future landscape of efficient, safe and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents with sharp minds and passion across the group’s leading brands and entities. 

Group Trucks Technology are seeking talents to help design sustainable transportation solutions for the future. As part of our team, you’ll help us by engineering exciting next-gen technologies and contribute to projects that determine new, sustainable solutions. Bring your love of developing systems, working collaboratively, and your advanced skills to a place where you can make an impact. Join our design shift that leaves society in good shape for the next generation.