Advanced Characterisation Methods for Tandem Solar Cells

The continuous increase in energy conversion efficiency and decrease in cost have made solar power the cheapest form of electricity in most countries. As a result, silicon-based solar cell technologies are dominating the global photovoltaic (PV) market. However, as the efficiency of silicon single junction solar cells approaches its theoretical limit, the PV industry and research community are turning their attention to next-generation technologies like tandem solar cells. Tandem solar cells use multiple layers of light-absorbing materials with different bandgaps to better utilise the solar spectrum, making them more efficient than single-junction cells. While tandem solar cells are an exciting new technology, they still require intensive research to become commercially viable.

Characterisation plays a vital role in the development of solar cells. Note that the world record for silicon solar cell efficiency that had been held by UNSW for many decades was strongly supported by the availability of state-of-the-art characterisation tools. In this project, we are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to develop advanced characterisation techniques for tandem solar cells to bring transformative change to the PV industry. More specifically, you will develop:

1. Advanced in-depth characterisation techniques to better understand the material properties and device physics of tandem solar cells, assisting the optimisation of tandem solar cells.
2. High throughput quality-inspection techniques to facilitate the mass production of tandem solar cells.

You will explore multiple advanced characterisation techniques including Kelvin probe, magnetic field imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and many more. You will also innovatively adapt several existing characterisation techniques for single junction solar cells to tandem solar cells, such as luminescence imaging, time-resolved photoluminescence, etc. Through a collaborative environment, you will get access to state-of-the-art laboratories, high efficiency tandem solar cells, as well as industrial large area devices. Apart from hands-on experience during the developing of novel characterisation systems, you will also gain knowledge and skills in simulation and loss analysis of tandem solar cells.

Scholarship

• $37,684 per annum 3.5 years
• Tuition fee scholarship for International candidates

Eligibility

• Domestic and International applicants
• PhD only

How to apply

Please email the following to Professor Ziv Hameiri at ziv.hameiri@unsw.edu.au:

• updated CV
• a short video (approximately 7 min) discussing previous research experience
• full undergraduate and masters academic transcript
• copy of master’s thesis as well as links to publications (if applicable)