A dynamic calibration method for injection-dependent charge carrier lifetime measurements
A dynamic calibration method for injection-dependent charge carrier lifetime measurements
A dynamic calibration method for injection-dependent charge carrier lifetime measurements
Our People
The minds behind the success of our research
Professor Ziv HAMEIRI
Why is your research important?
All the different aspects of my research aim to achieve the same goal: Making photovoltaics cheaper. I truly believe that solar energy (and a vegetarian diet) is the only way to save our planet. Through my research, I am trying to do my part to save the world faster.
What do you like about research?
The fact that my passion is also the main way to save the world. Working with very smart and creative people. Being challenged all the time. Discovering something that was not known before.
Research Fellows
Dr Yan ZHU
Why is your research important?
Characterisation is essential for understanding the performance limiting factors for photovoltaic devices, not only for research but also for industry. Defects stimulate the recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. Therefore, controlling the defects is essential for improving the performance of photovoltaic devices. The continuing improvement of photovoltaic materials and device architectures also calls for new characterisation techniques.
Dr John RODRIGUEZ
Why is your research important?
Crystalline silicon solar cells with passivated contacts will be one of the most dominant and widely produced solar cell technologies in the coming decades. The development of high-efficiency passivated contact devices – and the next-generation materials needed for them – will drive the levelized cost of electricity to new lows and further cement photovoltaic energy’s place as the most cost-effective form of electricity generation we have available.
Dr Rama SHARMA
Why is your research important?
My research is mainly committed to confronting climate change, focusing on enhancing solar energy systems' efficiency and reliability using machine learning. This involves developing algorithms for defect detection in solar panels, facilitating their performance improvement, and proactive maintenance. Additionally, I am crafting predictive financial models to determine the most economically advantageous time for replacing and disposing of solar modules...
Dr Félix GAYOT
Why is your research important?
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are primed to make a significant impact on addressing the pressing climate change crisis our society is facing today. There is a concerted effort all around the world to enhance the efficiency of these systems in capturing solar energy and converting it into electricity. Reliable characterisation techniques, and notably luminescence-based techniques are playing a crucial role in this effort by helping us understand what factors hinder solar...
Dr Abhnil PRASAD
Why is your research important?
I am an atmospheric modeller at the forefront of efforts to bring atmospheric science knowledge to engineering and model-development problems. My research aims to understand the impact of weather and climate on solar and wind energy generation, and to develop new ways to improve weather and climate information for renewable energy risk management. My research spans a wide spectrum of space and time scales, from urban to global and from minutes...
Dr Arthur JULIEN
Why is your research important?
Characterisation is crucial to grasp the physics behind solar cell behaviour. For instance, performance characterisation is necessary to identify better-performing materials or manufacturing processes. Tandem solar cells are promising candidates to improve power conversion efficiency at low environmental and economic costs. Appropriate characterisation techniques are crucial to support the development of these high-efficiency...
Dr Brendan WRIGHT
Why is your research important?
Understanding the dynamics of complex physical systems is difficult. But the more you understand, the better your predictions of the future become. And who doesn't want to predict the future?
Why do you like research?
It is far more rewarding to explore the uncertain and discover the unknown than to shelter in the safety of established knowledge. Research improves your odds...
Dr Shuai NIE
Why is your research important?
Improving the understanding of the materials’ electrical properties, their temperature dependence and their impact on solar cell performance and energy yield in the field.
Why do you like research?
It always surprises me! Nothing will go according to plan and your expectations.
Dr Ali SHAKIBA
Why is your research important?
My research focuses on the advancement of algorithms, both by developing new ones and enhancing existing ones, with the primary objective of efficiently processing emerging data and models. A particular emphasis is placed on utilising these algorithms to address practical issues encountered in real-world scenarios. Lately, I have been particularly enthusiastic about utilising my expertise to tackle the challenges facing utility-scale photovoltaic plants...
Dr Anh Huy Tuan LE
Why is your research important?
Although transition metal oxides (TMO)-based solar cells are very promising with regards to device efficiency, TMO passivating contacts have been limited to small devices using deposition techniques that are impractical for industrial applications. My research is to develop TMO passivating contacts using common industrial techniques that can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing capacity. Furthermore, I investigate passivating contacts using...
Dr Ahilan KANAGASUNDARAM
Why is your research important?
My research focuses on developing machine learning and deep learning models for load forecasting and solar PV power forecasting. Additionally, I develop systems to automate the scheduling of maintenance tasks for renewable energy infrastructure.
Why do you like research?
I enjoy finding innovative solutions for day-to-day problems using artificial intelligence.
Dr Chang (Ryan) SUN
Why is your research important?
We are developing techniques to identify and diagnose malfunctioning solar cells and modules, along with solutions to address them. This is critical for the transition to a solar-powered sustainable world.
Why do you like research?
I am driven by a curiosity about how things work. Through research, I can find answers to many of the "whys" I ask.
PhD Students
Zubair ABDULLAH-VETTER
Why is your research important?
Combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the amazing UNSW-developed techniques, such as photoluminescence imaging, will bring new insights to the photovoltaic industry. My research assists developing higher standards for quality and reliability of photovoltaic devices. This is a critical need, especially these days during the very fast growth of the solar industry. The most crucial aspect of my research is its contribution to tackling climate change. With faster and more efficient AI driven analysis techniques, we can make better...
Gaia Maria JAVIER
Why is your research important?
My research aims to develop algorithms that can improve the reliability and costs of photovoltaic systems. I think doing this will contribute to much needed efforts in making energy affordable, environment-friendly, and sustainable.
Why do you like research?
I enjoy learning new things, knowing why and how, and finding better solutions. With this knowledge, I can share it and help communities.
Soma ZANDI
Why is your research important?
Designing high efficiency solar cells at low cost and high stability contributes to numerous environmental and social benefits, such as producing far less global warming emissions, and improving standards of living in areas with the lack of power infrastructure. Among various types of solar cells, perovskite based tandem cells has been known as a promising photovoltaic technology toward achieving these goals. That’s why I am motivated to work in this area. My research focuses on the development and the electro-optical modeling of perovskite-based...
Yun LI
Why is your research important?
My research can make solar panels more commercially viable. Through machine learning, photovoltaic technologies can become a better practical choice for companies and households.
What do you like about research?
I am keen on learning new knowledge and skills, and the fact that my research might contribute to saving the environment makes me happy.
Tanushree JB NATH
Why is your research important?
Solar cells are low voltage, high current devices. This requires the minimisation of series resistance losses to achieve high power conversion efficiencies, which highlights the importance of series resistance imaging in solar cells. Most projections consider tandem solar cells, with efficiencies noticeably exceeding that of single-junction silicon solar cells, as the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technology. My research on series resistance imaging and advanced characterisation of tandem solar cells helps analyse their performance and...
Zhiwen ZHENG
Why is your research important?
With the recent carbon emission crisis and the emergence of severe energy problems, developing more efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic technologies to increase the share of renewables in the world's energy structure seems particularly important. The tandem cell is an interesting and promising technology since it has great potential to overcome traditional limits for single-cell efficiency. My research aims to apply numerical simulation and experimental devices (especially PL/EL imaging technologies) to...
Sijin WANG
Why is your research important?
Defects limit the performance of solar cells. My research uses machine learning to characterise defects in silicon based on lifetime measurements. Doing this can help make silicon photovoltaic devices more efficient and cheaper.
What do you like about research?
Solving problems that have not been solved by anyone before makes me feel excited. Also, knowing that my research will help fight against climate change makes me more passionate about my research area.
Grace Sze Wai LIU
Why is your research important?
My research is important because it fully realises the potential of the data that already exists. When this data is fully utilised, it can greatly improve efficiency and thus accelerate the shift towards renewables. In general, research is important to push the boundaries of what we know. Innovation can’t progress without it.
Alumni
Dr Simon ZHANG
Dr Yoann BURATTI
Dr Raghavi BHOOPATHY
Dr Kyung KIM
Dr Jack COLWELL
Dr Aref SAMADI
Dr Saman JAFARI
Dr Robert LEE CHIN
Dr Robert DUMBRELL
Past Research Fellows
Dr Tien-Chun WU
Dr Arman MAHBOUBI SOUFIANI
Dr Priya DWIVEDI
