Research
FM&D Laboratory has interests in the development of emerging semiconductors for energy and healthcare applications, along with understanding the thin-film growth processes during vapor deposition of these novel materials. The research lies at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This research is conducted at the National Thin Film Cluster Facility for Advanced Functional Materials, which is hosted by the University of Oxford, London Centre of Nanotechnology, and King’s College London. The labs work extends to the development of emerging semiconductors for energy applications, along with a keen interest in understanding the thin-film growth processes during vapor deposition of these novel materials. FM&D Laboratory's research lies at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Photovoltaics
Multi-Junction PhotovoltaicsMulti-junction PVs can surpass the single-junction detailed balance limit of power conversion efficiency (PCE) by incorporating multiple absorbers which respond to different parts of the solar spectrum, thus minimising losses associated with high energy photon relaxation. Triple-junction solar cells provide the opportunity of achieving up to 52% PCE, which would enable PV technology to be the dominant energy harvesting technology anywhere in the world. Hybrid perovskites semiconductors provide an opportunity to create highly efficient low-cost, lightweight, PVs that have a high power-to-weight ratio. As aforementioned, PVD is the technique that enables the creation of a multilayer heterostructure that contains hybrid perovskites semiconductors, small-molecule organic and metal oxide semiconductors. However, to develop such an intricate architecture that can reach close to the theoretical limit (PCE=52%) not only do the materials and their interfaces need to have minimal defects but light absorption and electronic behaviour of the devices need to be carefully considered. The aim of this research area is to pioneer a 40% PCE triple-junction perovskite solar cell with a high power-to-weight ratio.
Active GrantsUKRI-EPSRC EP/W007975/1- All-Evaporated Triple-Junction Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices
AgrivoltaicsWith the increasing demand for local and international produce, there is a growing need to improve crop efficiency and yield. One innovative solution is the use of agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural practices with photovoltaic (PV) technology to meet both energy and food demands. This technology seeks to optimize power generation from the sun while also allowing crops to absorb the optimal amount of light. By enabling the production of both power and crops on the same land, this technology has the potential to address two critical challenges: reducing carbon emissions and increasing food security. Additionally, it could help reduce the carbon footprint associated with importing produce from other continents or producing crops in energy-intensive greenhouses.
Active GrantsKing’s Climate and Sustainability Seed Fund- Nanostructured Transparent Electrodes for Semi-Transparent Solar Cells
Detectors
x/γ-ray Direct-Type DetectorsIn an x/γ-ray detector, it is key that the radiation absorbing semiconductor encompasses high atomic-number elements to absorb a wide range of x/γ-ray photon energies. Metal halide perovskite semiconductors are ideal materials for x/γ-ray detectors as their chemical compositions consist of many heavy elements. The large density of heavy atoms in perovskites can extend the absorption range of the current state-of-the-art detectors to simultaneously detect both x- rays and γ-rays. Perovskites can be developed using low-cost techniques and be made on lightweight flexible materials, allowing for cheap portable detectors.
