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Solar Energy Conversion

Our group main interest is in electronic processes at interfaces. We make nanomaterials and study how they interact electronically, with a focus on how they can be assembled and used for solar energy conversion to electricity, or for storing solar energy in chemical bonds, i.e. artificial photosynthesis.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Artificial Photosynthesis

Photovoltaic Material

Electronic Properties of Materials

Carbon Capture by Electrochemical processes

What materials should we use, and how should we use them to make an integrated solar fuel generator for storing intermittent solar energy?

What is the chemistry and structure required to have a self-passivated or self-healing solar material?

How can we capture carbon dioxide faster and more efficiently? And what should we do with it?

What materials should we use to make low-cost solar cells that better utilize the solar spectrum?

Jitendra's Research

Developing material-based concepts to overcome the challenges associated with solar cell absorber material. Further, advancing an understanding of the efficiency limiting defects in (BixSb1-x)2Se3 solar cell absorber material using deep-level transient spectroscopy.

Anchal's Research

Investigation of defect tolerance of the grain boundaries in 1D-metal chalcogenides e.g., antimony triselenide. Examine the defect tolerance in the materials by measuring the defect activities at the grain boundaries using electrical techniques such as Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and direct observation of defects using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). 

Leilah's Research

 Evaluating the effectiveness of metal coatings deposited via ALD, namely alucone and manganese, for mitigating ozone damage of reverse osmosis membranes. We are interested in how these metal oxides interact with ozone, whether to quench or multiply radical species in water. We rely on SEM-EDS to determine surface morphology and surface metal concentration of membranes following coating, and rely on membrane performance tests as the criteria for success or failure. 

Yaniv's Research

Fabrication of Bismuth-alloyed antimony selenide

light absorber thin films for short wavelength infrared region (0.7–0.95 eV) solar cells, using close-spaced
sublimation (CSS) deposition method. It is a promising absorber material for photovoltaic applications, as it is an earth-abundant and low-toxicity material, and can potentially add 6% power conversion efficiency points.

Sumesh's Research

Carbon dioxide electrolysis offers an attractive route to convert greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide to valuable fuels and feed-stocks. My current research is focused on fabricating and testing new membrane materials as gas diffusion electrodes for carbon dioxide electrolysis systems.

Yaron's Research

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ECO2RR) offers a promising route for renewable energy by conversion of CO2 to value-added products. Formate can be formed selectively by using Bismuth as electrocatalysts. Our research goal is to study the mechanisms which influence the stability of Bismuth Gas Diffusion Electrodes in ECO2RR system.

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