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IS-MOBIL-Mobilitetsprogr.f.utl.Ph.D-stu

Enhanced Multiple Exciton Generation in PbSe Quantum Dot Solar Cells Mobile researcher: Arivazhagan V, India

Awarded: NOK 0.13 mill.

This Yggdrasil proposal asks for support for 4 months stay at NTNU, Trondheim for PhD student Arivazhagan V from Department of Physics, Karunya University, India. Arivazhagan V is studying for a PhD on solar cell materials, specifically synthesizing PbSe quantum dot thin film structures. These structures carry the possibility to increase the efficiency of the solar cells of about 33% compared to conventional Silicon solar cells. The planned experiments at NTNU will examine these structures at the (sub-)na nometer scale, using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. As the properties and behavior of the quantum dots and the thin film at the nanoscale determine the macrocopic behavior of the solar cell, a thorough understanding of nanoscale proper ties is vital to both the understanding of macroscopic properties and also further design and optimalisation of the thin films and the solar cell structures. Currently, the TEM is the only choice for such detailed nanoscale characterization and access to this advanced equipment not available at Karunya University is thus of outmost importance to his PhD. Department of Physics, NTNU, has a long record of work on quantum dots and thin film structures for various applications as well as work on both traditi onal Silicon-based solar cells and third generation (nanostructured) solar cell materials. This includes a current employment of a post doc working specifically on TEM for various solar cell materials. We appreciate this as an opportunity both to further increase our knowledge in the field of solar cell materials and also to establish new international contacts and collaborations. This project will thus be of mutual benefit both to us and Arivazhagan V, and NTNU also expect direct scientific outcome in th e form of multiple articles published in internationally peer reviewed journals.

Funding scheme:

IS-MOBIL-Mobilitetsprogr.f.utl.Ph.D-stu