Research
The Field
The development of renewable energy technologies has become one of modern society's key scientific challenges, and at the forefront of this investigative drive is photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity. Current photovoltaic modules are typically based upon silicon and their manufacturing cost hampers their accelerated global roll-out, necessitating the development of a cheaper photovoltaic alternative.
Our Work
Our research focuses upon this area of solar energy conversion, specifically in the development of cheap, next-generation organic and hybrid architectures. We undertake investigations into the fundamental science behind new materials and device concepts with the aim of elucidating design principles that can advance technological development.
Our research is predominantely based upon using transient optical spectroscopies to probe the dynamics of photo-induced excited states in novel organic and hybrid organic-inorganic solar cells. We study the energy and electron transfer processes that occur within such devices, and these investigations are undertaken in parallel with analysis of the internal nanomorphology, as well as with device optimisation and functional characterisation.
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Steady State Absorption Spectroscopy |
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Steady State Photoluminescence Spectroscopy |
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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spesctroscopy
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Attenuated-total-reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
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Transient Absorption Spectroscopy |
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Ultrafast Transient Photoluminescence Spectrosopy |
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Solar Cell Characterisation |
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Transient Photocurrent and Photovoltage Measurements
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Wet Lab |
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Cleanroom |
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