Thesis in Thermo-rheological of sludge by ultrasonic metrology : energy performance and fouling diagnosis – THERBUS

Descrizione

Thesis in Thermo-rheological of sludge by ultrasonic metrology : energy performance and fouling diagnosis – THERBUS Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): Il progetto di dottorato si concentra sulla caratterizzazione delle emissioni di particolato derivanti dall'usura dei pneumatici, in collaborazione tra IMT Nord Europe e l'Université de Lille. La sede del progetto è in Francia. Le principali mansioni includono lo sviluppo di metodi per quantificare le particelle di usura dei pneumatici (TWP) e i loro additivi, l'analisi della composizione chimica e delle proprietà fisico-chimiche delle emissioni, e lo studio dell'impatto dell'invecchiamento atmosferico su queste particelle. È richiesta una laurea in Scienze Ambientali o un campo correlato. Il progetto mira a migliorare la comprensione meccanistica dell'usura dei pneumatici come fonte emergente di inquinamento atmosferico urbano. Background of the position: Road transport remains a major contributor to air pollution. While exhaust emissions have been significantly reduced through technological advances and the progressive electrification of vehicles, non-exhaust emissions—including brake, road, and tire wear—are increasingly recognized as dominant and still poorly characterized sources of pollutants. Among these, tire wear particles (TWPs) constitute a complex mixture of organic compounds, additives, and metals, emitted both in the particulate and semi-volatile phases1,2. TWPs accumulate in many environments (air, stormwater runoff or through bioaccumulation in vegetation and animals) and can be a major source of microplastics and heavy metals that are toxic to human and environmental health. Despite growing attention, important uncertainties remain regarding the chemical composition, atmospheric transformation, and environmental behavior of tire-derived emissions. In particular, the impact of atmospheric aging on their physicochemical properties—such as oxidation state, surface reactivity, and interaction with water—remains insufficiently understood3. This collaborative PhD project between IMT Nord Europe and the Université de Lille (LASIRE UMR 8516 CNRS) aims to characterize tire wear particulate emissions from primary release to atmospheric evolution. The objectives are to (i) develop a method to quantify TWP and their selected additives using pyrolysis-GC-MS, (ii) identify chemical tracers of TWPs in controlled and real-world samples, (iii) investigate compositional and surface changes induced by aging, and (iii) assess their hygroscopic properties. At IMT Nord Europe, emissions from new and aged tires (summer, winter, and all-season) will be analyzed using complementary techniques including microchambers, TD-GC-MS, pyrolysis-GC-MS, and FTIR spectroscopy to determine molecular composition and functional groups. Samples collected in traffic-influenced environments will be studied to evaluate the relevance of identified tracers under realistic conditions. TWP’s metal content and distribution in the particles will be investigated using ICP-MS and surface-sensitive approaches. At LASIRE, particle morphology, elemental composition, degree of encrustation and surface characteristics will be examined using electron microscopy (MEB/EDX), while electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) will be employed to identify persistent radical species formed during aging and assess their potential role in particle reactivity. The project will also examine how simulated and real environmental aging modifies the interaction of TWPs with water, providing insight into their evolving physicochemical properties in the atmosphere. Overall, this work will improve the mechanistic understanding of tire wear as an emerging source of urban air pollution and support its consideration in air quality studies. Funding category: Contrat doctoral PHD Country: France Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).