We advance the modeling, characterization, and control of defects in solar cells and the development of new materials and device architectures for solar energy storage. Our characterization includes a significant focus on synchrotron-based microscopy and spectroscopy to elucidate material kinetics in energy materials. We also pursue the development of material processing simulation tools to answer precisely and in a predictive manner the processing path of synthesizing functional materials into highly-functional devices.

Defect Engineering for High-Efficiency Solar Cells

Examining the impact of structural defects and interstitial iron impurities on minority carrier lifetimes.

 Nanostructured Absorbers

Disordered inverse opal nanostructuring.

 Photoelectrochemical Solar-to-Fuels

Setting up a one sun test of solar water splitting in EEL @ MIT.