Post-Master EngD trainee on reading RFID sensors embedded in asphalt

Introduction

The post-master Engineering Doctorate (EngD) program Design of Electrical Engineering Systems (DEES) is a two-year salaried program comprising a 15-month industry-funded project in parallel with a 9-month training programme. The program leads to an Engineering Doctorate degree.

Job Description

EngD project

The Electromagnetics (EM) group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and the Netherlands Directorate General for Publics Work and Water management (Rijkswaterstaat) are seeking to hire an outstanding EngD candidate within the field of inductive and radiative (WPT) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

Project goal

Modern society highly depends on an uninterrupted functioning of the infrastructure that includes the assets of the built environment and the highways. For an efficient operation of these assets, we need predictive maintenance or – in other words – we need to repair before failure. For realizing predictive maintenance, it is desirable to make the infrastructure assets talk, i.e., make them report their health status. So, for highways we need wireless sensors, embedded in asphalt, for the purpose of remote identification of the type and the monitoring of the physical parameters of the asphalt. This data can then be used to determine the health condition.

For cost-efficiency, we want to use Commercially Off the Shelf (COTS) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags with sensing capacity. These tags are available for low frequency (13.56 MHz) or ultra high frequency (UHF, 868 MHz) operation. The latter are meant for being read at larger distances (meters), using radio wave propagation. These tags/sensors therefore seem to be the preferred ones for this project, but the operability can be severely deteriorated by a non-air environment, like asphalt.

The impact of asphalt on the functioning of UHF RFID tags needs to be determined in full. Expected is a detuning of the antenna resulting in a limited read range. A method to alleviate the detuning effect has already been devised and needs to be explored

But also, the read range of low-frequency, inductive, tags/sensors can be increased by using a so-called super lens. We have developed the analysis tools for such a super lens that can be used in the design of better ones.

The EngD project will consist of

A preparation phase, in which, through literature search, a selection of COTS RFID tags/sensors will be made. A definition and analysis phase, in which, for a standard UHF tag antenna, a means of retuning, when embedded in asphalt, will be explored and in which a magnetic lens for low frequency, inductive tags will be designed. A demonstrator implementation phase, in which a functional demonstrator for radiative an/or inductive RFID tags will be designed and tested in a laboratory environment as well as in a field test. An evaluation and conclusion phase, in which, in particular, the results of the field tests will be validated against the requirements and specifications.

Company sponsor

Netherlands Directorate General for Publics Work and Water management (Rijkswaterstaat).

Department of Electrical Engineering

The department of Electrical Engineering (EE) is one of the nine departments of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and has been a core part of the university since Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) was founded in 1956.

The mission of EE is to carry out long term, generic, world-class research within the mechanical engineering domain on carefully selected topics that fall within the research profile areas of the university, and that match the technological interests of high-tech, internationally oriented industry in the Netherlands and especially in Brainport Eindhoven. Furthermore, we want to realize an education and research program with a balanced combination of fundamental and application aspects, thereby aiming at providing industry with scientifically educated and application-driven engineers who are optimally equipped to address future challenges.

Electromagnetics group

The EM group consists of four full time full professors, six part time full professors, one associate professor, eight assistant professors, five postdocs, about 33 EngD and PhD candidates and support staff. In total the group has 100+ professionals with expertise in EM modelling, EM measurements and/or the design of (integrated) antennas and antenna systems for EM applications in medicine, communication and astronomy.

Job Requirements

We are looking for excellent candidates that add value to the EM group and match the following profile:

• A master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a cognate discipline with excellent grades.
• Excellent knowledge of Electromagnetics and communication.
• Solid programming skills (e.g., in Matlab).
• Experience with full wave electromagnetic software like Simulia CST Microwave Studio
• Good communication and organization skills.
• Excellent English language skills (writing and presenting). 

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an international setting with a close relationship to industry. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for two years.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale TOIO (€ 2,872).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• To support you during your EngD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for EngD trainees.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the project leader, prof. Hubregt Visser, h.j.visser@tue.nl. For additional information about the post-master EngD-DEES program, please contact, dr. Bastiaan de Hon, b.p.d.hon@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include:

• A well-motivated letter of application including your ideas about your professional future
• An extended curriculum vitae.
• Copies of your original BSc and MSc diplomas, certificates, lists of subjects and your results, as well as their certified (English) translations.
• Copy of your Final BSc and MSc projects including English abstracts and (if applicable) published papers (PDF files).
• Names and contact details of two referees, who may be consulted by our team
• Results of your IELTS test.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. Please keep in mind; you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each!