Nada Naser
My research focuses on the integration of solid binding peptides (SBPs) within the framework of proton-transporting transmembrane proteins to create new devices and materials that will enable next-generation energy systems. SBPs are combinatorially selected peptides that bind with high affinity to inorganic materials. By genetically inserting these peptides at various sites of functional transmembrane proteins (e.g., light-activated ion transporters), and by exploiting emerging techniques to isolate and stabilize the resulting chimera in polymeric nanoparticles, I intend to fabricate new devices to control charge transfer and chemical potential across interfaces in response to light illumination. Additionally, I am interested in developing responsive materials in which...
Xiaofeng Xiang
Photovoltaic devices are important for the renewable clean energy system. Today, silicon-based solar modules keep dominating the market, but various emerging techniques based on thin-film inorganic semiconductors are rapidly developing. Among thin-film technologies, chalcopyrite Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) shows excellent light conversion efficiency. The primary goal of my research is to develop modeling tools for design and optimization of CIGS fabrication and device operation processes. To achieve this goal, the first step is to understand the fundamental chemical reactions or physical phenomenons happening during manufacturing processes. Next, I would apply first principle calculations and use device simulation software to understand thermodynamic or kinetic aspects of the materials. Finally,...
Preetham Paul Sunkari
The overarching goal of my research is to pioneer new methods to forecast the degradation of perovskite semiconductors and photovoltaic devices. Perovskite solar cells (PSC) showed a rapid increase in power conversion efficiencies from 14% to 25.2% in just seven years. But their poor stabilities have questioned the practicality of their operational deployment. To study the stability of PSCs, I plan to investigate material-level optoelectronic quality changes in perovskite films under different thermal, light, oxygen, and humidity stresses through in-situ photoluminescence (PL) and dark field (DF) microscopy, photoconductivity, and film transmittance measurements. Based on trends in this data, the dominating degradation mechanisms and the...
Margherita Taddei
Today, one of the most pressing issues for our society is to meet the constant increase in energy demand with sustainable alternatives. For this reason, scientists are looking for clean and renewable energy sources. In the solar energy field, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted a lot of attention due to their incredible increase in efficiency from 3.8% to 25.2% in only 10 years of research. The main issues encountered in PSCs are the presence of toxic cations, low efficiency, and stability. Therefore, for future commercialization, it is necessary to develop eco-friendly, stable, and efficient perovskite materials. My work focus on finding new solution-processable environmentally-friendly...
Kacper Lachowski
The design of plasmonic nanoparticles (PNP) is an active area of research in large part due to its exciting potential in solar cells and photocatalysis applications. The performance of these systems can be engineered by controlling the composition, morphology, and arrangement of PNP’s. The goal of my research is to better understand how organic molecules affect the PNP synthesis process when presented in the solution vs. constrained to an interface. Specifically, I am using the liquid-liquid interface of emulsions to perform high throughput combinatorial PNP syntheses in mild conditions. Constraining growth to an interface may inherently produce PNPs with features like high specific surface area and...
Amy Mayhugh
My research addresses ecological and economic factors that limit conjugated materials synthesis for solar energy. Conjugated polymers have the potential for widespread use in solar cells, as they can be cheap to produce, and installed in unique settings. Currently, synthesizing high-performing semiconducting polymers is energy intensive and complex. I study ways to reduce the number of synthetic steps while simultaneously prioritizing mild reaction conditions. I will continue my work on direct arylation polymerization (DArP) at room temperature for conjugated polymer synthesis. DArP is attractive as it directly functionalizes C-H bonds, avoiding the use of toxic organometallic intermediates. Due to the high selectivity and reactivity requirements for...
Liam Wrigley
My research will focus on designing new photocatalytic molecules for the purposes of clean energy generation. Advisor: Cody Schlenker - Chemistry ...
Caitlyn Wolf
Using molecular dynamics simulations of P3HT, we will train a machine learning model to predict neutron scattering profiles from force fields (FFs). Advisor: Lilo Pozzo - Chemical Engineering ...
Duyen Tran
My research will address these challenges by (1) investigating ternary blends composed of a new class of NFAs synthesized in our lab and (2) developing tandem OPV devices with enhanced efficiency and Voc. Advisor: Samson A. Jenekhe - Chemical Engineering ...
Justin Pothoof
Understanding the mechanism and role of ion migration in 2D perovskite will allow scientists to fabricate record-setting solar cells and LEDs. Advisor: David Ginger - Chemistry ...
Oliver Nakano-Baker
I plan to demonstrate how machine learning, biological design principles, and additive manufacturing can combine to enable a leap in photovoltaic device performance. Advisor: J. Devin MacKenzie - Materials Science & Engineering ...
Alexis Mills
We are currently concerned with the photoexcitation character of a series of platinum dimer systems as well as the physics of electron transfer between the different excited states. Advisor: Xiaosong Li — Chemistry ...