Dr. Henk Huinink

Biography

Henk Huinink is an Associate Professor in Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His key research interests include phase transitions in crystals, interactions of solids with water, and heat and mass transport in porous media, complemented by NMR imaging and relaxometry. He is involved in the development of thermal batteries which are charged by heat instead of electricity, aiming to enhance power output and ensure stable performance over multiple cycles. His investigations focus on thermochemical materials (TCMs), particularly salt hydrates, which release heat upon hydration and can be charged through dehydration. Henk has made significant contributions by elucidating the kinetics of hydration and dehydration reactions in salt hydrates, as well as nucleation-growth mechanisms. His current research topics include the stabilization of salt hydrates through salt/organic composites, increasing the thermal conductivity of TCMs to boost power output, and promoting nucleation to further enhance energy storage capabilities. With a background in physical chemistry, he received his MSc and PhD in statistical physics applied to soft matter from Wageningen University. His experience spans over a decade in the field of heat storage, including a role as a research fellow at Shell. Henk spent a sabbatical at the Center for Computational Chemistry at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, focusing on atomistic modeling of crystal hydrates related to thermal energy storage.

Research Interests

Courses