Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization : Research at UT

The principal research effort of Dr. Compaan's group is on the deposition of semiconductor thin films for solar cells which is supported by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). His research emphasizes on techniques for fabrication of large - area, thin film modules for applications of photovoltaic power generation. Most of his group's research effort  involves the use of glass substrates which are coated with flourine-doped tin oxide which serves as transparent conductor. Some of his group's research is dedicated for the development of CdS/CdTe cells on flexible substrates such as molybdenum foil and high temeperature polymers.

Prof. Amar's group is interested in thin film modeling which mostly concerns with Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). MBE is of great technological and practical interest due to the use of MBE to make semiconductors, quantum wells, solid-state lasers, as well as a variety of other nanostructures such as quantum wires and quantum dots. One of the main advantages of MBE is the ability to control the deposition of thin films and atomic structures on the atomic scale in order to create nanostructures.

Recently, it has been discovered that even in the absence of effects such as strain, homoepitaxial growth of thin-films may lead to instability known as 'mound formatoin'. This may be due to diffusion bias which may be due to several effects. His group's main topic is to work on the reason behind mound formations and thin film modeling. 

Prof. Deng's Group research interests are in the areas of silicon photovoltaic materials and devices, thin film depositions and photo-electrochemical production of hydrogen. His group is currently involved in

• fabrication of high-efficiency triple-junction a-Si based solar cells
• fabrication of nano crystalline silicon solar cells at high rate
• fabrication of lightweight and flexible a-Si solar cells and modules on plastic substrates.
• fabrication of photoelectrochemical cells and modules for hydrogen generation.

Prof. Collins Research Group specializes in the are of Ellipsometry.

• Instrumentation development in Prof. Collins’s laboratory focuses on multichannel spectroscopic and imaging techniques that can be performed in real time during the fabrication and processing of materials.
• Research range from achieving a basic understanding of thin film growth and optical properties to improving industrial processes for photovoltaic thin films and other coatings.

Dr. Khare's research group is focussed on applying theoretical techniques to explain and predict interfacial and materials phenomenon of direct and experimental relevance. A strong connection with experimental measurements such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is made. A wide range of theoretical and computational techniques are employed including analytical solutions to stochastic differential equations with noise, equations of elasticity, numerical solutions to algebraic equations, Monte Carlo simulations, molecular dynamics, and ab initio density functional theory calculations. 

Dr. Marsillac’s research interests reside in the areas of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGSe) photovoltaic materials and devices, thin film depositions, and photo-electrochemical production of hydrogen.

Research on CIGSe has reached a certain maturity level but some fundamental questions remain before a basic understanding of thin film growth and device behaviors can be achieved.

• To improve the efficiency of the devices as well as increase understanding, new materials (I-III-VI₂, III-VI) are deposited and tested in solar cell structures.
• Another important area of research is also to develop new processes and technologies to enhance and facilitate the development of the industrial reality of photovoltaic thin film.

Dr. Bigioni's Research group is currently working on

• New ways of assembling colloidal nanoparticles into complex structures.
• How particle interactions affect the structure and physical properties in these unique materials.
• If it is possible to synthesize structurally perfect nanocrystals.

Dr. Heben, is currently working as principal scientist and team leader of the Nanostructured Materials Group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He is an expert in

• Carbon nanotubes.
• Energy conversion and storage technologies relating to photovoltaics and Hydrogen storage.

Dr. Ellingson's Research interests are mainly focussed on understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of energy loss for electrons, holes and excitons in nanoscale light adsorbers and their assemblies, for application to solar energy conversion. He is also interested in advancing assembly methods to use solution based colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals for thin-film solar cells. His group is currently working on

• Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy of Nano and Molecular Scale Absorbers.
• Assembling colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals for use in highly efficient, inexpensive photovoltaics.

His research interests are in the fields of

• Power Electronics
• Switching Power Converters, Modeling and Control.