Internship | Translating Urban Mine Samples to a Recycling Strategy Tool

Internship | Translating Urban Mine Samples to a Recycling Strategy Tool

About this position

Are you passionate about sustainability, circularity, and innovative solutions for the future? Join TNO, a leader in circular economy research, where recycling is a key pillar of our mission. Our work explores the Dutch 'urban mine', identifying valuable raw materials hidden in discarded products, revealing significant opportunities to recover critical raw materials (CRMs) such as gallium, lithium, and dysprosium. These materials are essential for high-tech industries, including chip manufacturing, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.

What will be your role?

Within the Environmental Modelling, Sensing & Analysis (EMSA) department, we focus on waste streams like lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, and e-waste. Our goal is to maximize circularity and CRM recovery through both policy and technical innovation.

Despite the importance of recycling, there are still many practical challenges. In the Netherlands, recycling of critical materials remains limited, with many valuable streams exported abroad, especially to Asia. Current policies often emphasize the total weight of waste collected, rather than the presence of critical raw materials. As a result, small but highly valuable quantities of materials are frequently lost, for example only a fraction of permanent magnets from large appliances are recovered.

At TNO, we are working towards a future where electronic waste becomes a source of valuable raw materials. We map the entire recycling chain, from collection to the recovery of virgin materials, combining technical innovation with systems thinking. By collaborating with partners, we develop solutions that are sustainable, circular, and economically viable, thereby unlocking the full potential of the urban mine.

What will you be doing?

During this internship you will contribute to the development of a Recycling Strategy Tool (RST). This tool aims to simulate the impact of various recycling process steps on the physical and chemical properties of materials and components. This enables tracking of CRMs and optimization of CRM recovery throughout the recycling value chain.

To optimize the RST we need to translate the sorting and mechanical processing from recycling companies into modelling parameters, which reflect and predict the presence of CRMs during different parts of the recycling process. Since samples from different parts of the recycling process are highly variable in their physical properties and homogeneity, this requires a critical classification of different fragments within samples based on their properties.

Key Activities:

• Conduct a literature study on fragment classification for simulating mechanical recycling processes.
• Participate in trials at recycling company, to monitor e.g. shredding and sorting of different PCB streams.
• Collaborate on developing a classification and sorting system for shredded PCB fragments (considering size, composition, shape, etc.).
• Assist in translating fragment data into a database for Recycling Strategy Tool.
• Report findings in an internship report and potentially contribute to a scientific publication.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a Master’s student with a background in Material Science, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental studies or closely related fields. An affinity with data science and/or modelling is appreciated. We are looking for someone with a collaborative work attitude capable of working both independently and in a team. An eye for detail and proper technical documentation skills are highly recommended.

Practical Information

• The internship lasts a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 9 months
• A candidate will be selected for an interview during the application process
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is mandatory before starting

About TNO EMT - EMSA

The Energy & Materials Transition unit conducts applied research to accelerate the transition to a safer and more sustainable future. The EMSA department specializes in analyzing the presence, mitigation, and effects of potentially harmful substances, with advanced laboratories capable of precise substance analysis in various media. The Circular Electronics group develops sustainable recycling processes for retrieving CRMs from the urban mine and advises on circular value chains for electronic waste.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

About TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.

Contact

E-mailadres: koen.mulder@tno.nl