MoDCons: Multi-Modal Microscopy of Doped Semiconductors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
The development of efficient, low-cost, and durable doped semiconductors including photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and
transistors will be central to the EU goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Taking photovoltaics as an example, the most
important aspects for commercialization are the power conversion efficiency (PCE), cost, and durability, which can be combined into
the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) often expressed in euros per kilowatt hour. Multi-junction and bifacial
photovoltaics are therefore attractive because they enable power conversion limits associated with monofacial single junctions to be
surpassed, lowering the LCOE. MoDCons represents a departure from the broadly adopted strategy of "trial and error", instead driving
device engineering strategy with fundamental understanding. Dr Westbrook will achieved this by designing a multi-modal
microscopy toolkit capable of quantifying photophysical, chemical, and structural information on the microscale, in next-generation
semiconductors. He will deploy this toolkit to understand the structure-function relationships that underpin dopant formation in
mixed-metal halide perovskites, with implications for photovoltaics and other optoelectronics. Finally, he will use the multi-modal
microscopy toolkit to drive the device engineering of bifacial all-perovskite tandem solar cells to >30% efficiency and >1000h stability.
A major academic and industrial effort towards commercialization of next-generation photovoltaics and optoelectronics is currently
underway with its epicenter in Europe. Therefore, the postdoctoral fellowship represents a timely opportunity to return Dr
Westbrook from the United States to strengthen Europe's base in research and development. Through MoDCons, Dr Westbrook will
gain vital skills in device engineering, microscopy and management, securing his future independent academic career.
transistors will be central to the EU goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Taking photovoltaics as an example, the most
important aspects for commercialization are the power conversion efficiency (PCE), cost, and durability, which can be combined into
the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) often expressed in euros per kilowatt hour. Multi-junction and bifacial
photovoltaics are therefore attractive because they enable power conversion limits associated with monofacial single junctions to be
surpassed, lowering the LCOE. MoDCons represents a departure from the broadly adopted strategy of "trial and error", instead driving
device engineering strategy with fundamental understanding. Dr Westbrook will achieved this by designing a multi-modal
microscopy toolkit capable of quantifying photophysical, chemical, and structural information on the microscale, in next-generation
semiconductors. He will deploy this toolkit to understand the structure-function relationships that underpin dopant formation in
mixed-metal halide perovskites, with implications for photovoltaics and other optoelectronics. Finally, he will use the multi-modal
microscopy toolkit to drive the device engineering of bifacial all-perovskite tandem solar cells to >30% efficiency and >1000h stability.
A major academic and industrial effort towards commercialization of next-generation photovoltaics and optoelectronics is currently
underway with its epicenter in Europe. Therefore, the postdoctoral fellowship represents a timely opportunity to return Dr
Westbrook from the United States to strengthen Europe's base in research and development. Through MoDCons, Dr Westbrook will
gain vital skills in device engineering, microscopy and management, securing his future independent academic career.
