Perovskite‑silicon tandem solar cells are rapidly emerging as one of the most promising pathways toward next‑generation, high‑efficiency solar technologies. As new materials, device architectures, and interface treatments continue to evolve, modelling plays a crucial role in unlocking their full potential. Accurate modelling is essential for interpreting characterisation data, supporting in‑depth analysis, and generating insights that accelerate progress across the entire research community. This capability is fundamental to driving the development of stable, high‑performance devices that can ultimately transform global solar deployment.
Optical and electrical simulations allow researchers to pinpoint performance‑limiting mechanisms, reveal loss pathways within individual layers or interfaces, and assess the impact of new perovskite formulations. Importantly, emerging models that incorporate ionic migration shed light on dynamic behaviours that traditional measurements alone cannot capture. These insights are critical for improving device stability—one of the key barriers to commercialising perovskite solar technologies.
This ToR project focuses on using state‑of‑the‑art simulation tools to analyse and interpret characterisation data from perovskite solar cells. You will investigate how key material and interface properties shape device behaviour and integrate ionic‑migration models to understand their influence on advanced characterisation outcomes. Your contributions will feed directly into the broader effort to develop reliable, scalable next‑generation PV technologies.
You will work closely with experts in the ACDC research group. The group fosters a friendly and collaborative environment where students interact daily, share ideas openly, and learn from one another—an ideal setting for developing research skills while making meaningful contributions to cutting‑edge solar innovation.
School
Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
Research Area
Solar cells | Semiconductors | Characterisation | Modelling
Suitable for recognition of Work Integrated Learning (industrial training)?
No
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
You will be part of the ACDC Research Group at UNSW, which specialises in advanced solar cell characterisation and the use of machine learning for performance analysis. The group includes around 20 researchers and students and offers a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment. Many students who have completed a ToR project with the group have stayed on for their 4th‑year thesis and later continued into PhD studies.
You will work primarily with Dr Arthur Julien, who recently joined the group to focus on luminescence‑based characterisation of tandem solar cells. He completed his PhD on modelling perovskite solar cells, and his expertise will guide you throughout the project.
- Modelling‑based understanding of how key material and interface properties influence perovskite solar cell performance across common characterisation techniques.
- Insights into ionic migration and its impact on device behaviour, including stability and transient effects.
- A modelling framework that strengthens the interpretation of experimental data and supports the development of commercially viable next‑generation perovskite and tandem PV technologies.
Your supervisory team Dr Arthur Julien and Prof. Ziv Hameiri, will play pivotal roles to ensure a successful ToR experience and outcomes. Supervisory team profile:
- Dr Arthur Julien, Research Fellow (ACDC, SPREE)- specialising in experimental/theoretical PV physics focused on tandem and perovskite devices, advanced characterisation, and modelling.
- Professor Ziv Hameiri, Group Lead, ACDC (SPREE, UNSW) - leading ACDC’s programs in contactless characterisation, machine learning for PV, and defect/interface investigations across silicon and tandem devices."
- The website of the ACDC research group: https://www.acdc-pv-unsw.com/
- Fischer, O., Fell, A., Messmer, C., Efinger, R., Schindler, F., Glunz, S. W., & Schubert, M. C. (2023). Understanding Contact Nonuniformities at Interfaces in Perovskite Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Using Luminescence Imaging, Lock‑In Thermography, and 2D/3D Simulations. Solar RRL, 7(19), 2300249. https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202300249
- Courtier, N. E., Cave, J. M., Foster, J. M., Walker, A. B., & Richardson, G. (2019). How transport layer properties affect perovskite solar cell performance: insights from a coupled charge transport/ion migration model. Energy and Environmental Science, 12(1), 396–409. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ee01576g
- le Corre, V., Duijnstee, E. A., el Tambouli, O., Ball, J. M., Snaith, H. J., Lim, J., & Koster, L. J. A. (2021). Revealing Charge Carrier Mobility and Defect Densities in Metal Halide Perovskites via Space‑Charge‑Limited Current Measurements. ACS Energy Letters, 6(3), 1087–1094. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.0c02599