New

MSc Thesis Work: Graphene related 2D nanomaterials reinforced Metal Matrix

ABB Inc.
United States, North Carolina, Cary
305 Gregson Drive (Show on map)
Oct 10, 2025
At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world. This Position reports to: R&D Team Lead You will spend majority of your thesis time at Chalmers University, and will also be part of Materials Technology & Energy Storage team at ABB Corporate Research in Vasteras, Sweden. At Corporate Research we lead the innovation within ABB and our task is to ensure ABB's technology competitiveness now and in the future. We work in close collaboration with other research centers, our business areas: Motion, Process Automation, Robotics & Discrete Automation and Electrification, as well academic and industrial partners. In our creative and highly skilled team we develop, design, build and test new concepts and prototypes of physical and digital powertrains consisting of electric energy source, electrical motor, electric drive, and a selected application. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) served as an interesting research area for development of high-performance materials, offering distinguished physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. These properties of MMCs have led to their vast applications in aerospace, automotive, infrastructure, electronics, and precision devices. In comparison to pure metals and monolithic alloys, the resulting MMCs have been demonstrated with higher specific strength, improved hardness, enhanced thermal conductivity, better wear resistance, and improved damping capacity. Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet which is only a monolayer of carbon atoms tightly packed into a honeycomb sp2 lattice. The thickness is 0.34 nm. Since its discovery, it has gained tremendous attention from scientific community due to its outstanding structural, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. The unique structures and properties make graphene an ideal reinforcement nanomaterial for improving structural and thermoelectrical performance of metal matrix composites; However, the low loading and the poor interaction of graphene with metal matrix materials limit its practical application. This project focuses on the development of innovative and scalable processing method to incorporate graphene with the metal materials. It is a collaboration project between Chalmers and ABB. You will be the key person working at both Chalmers and ABB. You will be trained to address different challenges. Details Period: Start Jan-Feb 2026 30 ECTS per student Number of students: 1 Location: On-site at Chalmers University and, on an as-needed basis, at ABB Corporate Research in Vasteras, Sweden Your responsibilities Develop efficient and scalable processing method to incorporate graphene with metal particles, and understand the materials using characterization techniques for example SEM, Raman, XRD etc. (Chalmers site). Perform the mechanical and tribological performance test and investigate its application (Chalmers site and ABB site). You will be able to learn and know the entire fabrication process and the final applications as well (Chalmers site). Your background Hands-on experience in material processing and testing techniques Theoretical understanding and practical experience in 2D materials Exposure to advanced microscopy such as Scanning Electron Microscopy Good collaboration capabilities in a research & development team Strong team spirit and individual leadership to deliver expected results on time and with high Quality More about us ABBis a global technology leader in electrification and automation. We see our purpose as being to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting our engineering and digitalization expertise, we help industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. We call this: 'Engineered to Outrun.' ABB project leader Su Zhao, su.zhao@se.abb.com, will answer your questions. Positions are filled continuously. Please apply with your CV, academic transcripts, and a cover letter in English. We look forward to receiving your application! Join us. Be part of the team where progress happens, industries transform, and your work shapes the world. Run What Runs the World. A Future Opportunity Please note that this position is part of our talent pipeline and not an active job opening at this time. By applying, you express your interest in future career opportunities with ABB. We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to learn more about us and see the impact of our work across the globe.