Design. Fabricate. Innovate.

Solartronics is a student-led semiconductor manufacturing initiative where undergraduate students design, fabricate, and test real semiconductor devices while developing the next generation of solar-powered electronics.

VIP ChallENG research goals

  • Build the future of solar electronics by integrating photovoltaics with semiconductor devices to create smarter, more capable energy systems.
  • Train future semiconductor engineers through hands-on experience in device design, fabrication, characterisation, and testing.
  • Make semiconductor prototyping accessible so students can transform their own ideas into working devices.
ChallENG Area

Vertically Integrated Projects

Research Areas
  • Silicon photovoltaics 
  • Low-power circuits and wireless transmitters 
  • Low power IoT systems 
  • Electrical circuit design
  • Device encapsulation

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  • Ensure access to affordable and sustainable energy (SDG 7
  • Build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation (SDG 9)
  • Designing semiconductor devices, including solar cells, diodes, MOSFETs, BJTs, and integrated circuits.
  • Developing new semiconductor fabrication processes.
  • Exploring semiconductor manufacturing beyond conventional cleanrooms.
  • Creating smart photovoltaic systems with integrated power management.
  • Building self-powered electronic devices and energy-harvesting systems.
  • Developing miniaturised sensors for environmental monitoring and precision measurement.
  • Turning innovative concepts into fabricated and tested prototypes.
  • Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
  • Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy  
  • Chemical Engineering 
  • Physics 
  • Chemistry
  • Medicine  
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

Credit: ✔ 6 UoC per course  HOW IT WORKS

  • Gain hands-on semiconductor fabrication experience rarely available to undergraduates.
  • Work alongside researchers and industry partners on real engineering challenges.
  • Learn the complete semiconductor development cycle—from design to fabrication and testing.
  • Build technical skills that prepare you for careers in semiconductors, electronics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Contribute to research with the potential for publications, industry collaborations, and commercial impact.

2021 VIP Consortium Innovation Competition - 1st Place WINNER

Mini Solar - Fire Detection Team

The Mini Solar VIP Team is developing devices that provide fast, accurate information to the surrounding community and to authorities when bushfires break out.  The devices include a dedicated miniature solar panel that converts sunlight into energy, an integrated miniature battery, and communications technology which creates a 24/7 monitoring and communications network. The team was established in 2020 in response to the devastating bushfire season in Australia.

Team Academic Leads

A/Prof. Ivan Perez-Wurfl

Sch: PV & Renewable Energ

+61 2 9385 6056 / ivanpw@unsw.edu.au

A/Prof. Torsten Lehmann

Sch: Electrical Eng & Telecom

t.lehmann@unsw.edu.au

Shona McNab

Research Associate

Sch: PV & Renewable Energ

shona.mcnab@unsw.edu.au

Apply now