Energy Transitions Discussion Series – Photovoltaics

An Energy Transitions discussion series is planned this term, together with Cambridge Zero and the Energy Materials at Cambridge (EMAC) community. This is a new format and the aim is to stimulate informal cross disciplinary discussion amongst the wider academic community at the University of Cambridge.

The objectives are to create a platform to give researchers an opportunity to raise their profile and establish new networks; create cohesive special interest groups within the university and to address short notice funding calls. 

A different theme will be launched each month, where three speakers will each give a short 10-minute talk focussing on potential new and interesting research areas with the potential to make a significant step change to reach a zero carbon energy transformation, followed by questions and discussion after each talk. The discussion will continue on a MS Teams themed channel where your participation is encouraged.

If you would like to register to attend this active discussion session please email energy@admin.cam.ac.uk and we will send you the link to join. We will automatically add you to a MS Teams channel, where the speakers will continue the discussion after the event. If you do not wish to be added please let us know. We particularly welcome participation from underrepresented groups. 

The discussion on Photovoltaics will be chaired by Dr Sergey Kolesnikov. 

The speakers for the Photovoltaics session will be:

Dr Akshay Rao Lowering the cost and increasing the deployment of PV - What are the material and device architectures challenges?

Si based PVs dominate current PV production and deployment. But these devices have fundamental limits on performance and the capital cost (Capex) required to manufacture Si based PVs are also still relatively high. We aim to discuss how new materials and device architectures could overcome these fundamental limits and also if such approaches may lower Capex costs of producing PV and hence speed up deployment.

Dr Bartomeu Monserrat Modelling optoelectronic properties of semiconductors

The optoelectronic properties of semiconductors play a key role in multiple technologies, of which photovoltaics are a prominent example. In this talk, I will give an overview of the role that modelling can play in understanding photoexcitations in semiconductors, with a particular emphasis on creating links with experiment by moving from simple ideal models to realistic disordered materials and operating conditions.

Dr Rachel C. Evans How can we design integrated spectral conversion materials to power smart sustainable cities?

Light is ubiquitous in the urban environment – from the sun that shines down upon us to the artificial sources that light-up our homes. While some of this light is used very effectively, for example by plants in the process of photosynthesis, much of it is wasted, either due to inefficient harvesting or poor recycling of the broad spectrum of wavelengths available. Spectral conversion materials provide a potential solution to this problem, using a photoluminescence process to convert available photons into energies that can be used more effectively. In this talk, I will introduce a “bottom-up” approach to design integrated spectral converters, in which light-emitting species are embedded into a suitable host that imparts additional features such as concentration of diffuse light or improved mechanical properties. Proof-of-concept applications of these materials in luminescent solar concentrators and visible light communications will be demonstrated. Finally, I will discuss some opportunities and challenges associated with these materials, as well as potential opportunities for collaboration.