The Origin of Non-Radiative Losses in Metal Halide Perovskites

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

Solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) made from novel, inexpensive materials have the potential to be low-cost, clean and scalable solutions to supply our growing electricity and lighting demands. While solar cells convert sunlight into electrical energy, LEDs are the reverse, with electrical energy transformed into emitted light. Metal halide perovskites are extremely promising materials for both applications. Perovskite solar cells have improved their power conversion efficiency from 3% to 22% in just three years, approaching that of the market-leading technology, silicon (25%). Early reports of perovskite LEDs are also encouraging though relatively unexplored. Perovskite ingredients are abundant and can be combined inexpensively into thin films with a crystalline structure similar to silicon. Rolls of thin, flexible perovskite film could one day be rapidly spooled from a special printer to make lightweight, bendable, and colourful solar and light-emitting sheets.

Nevertheless, the full potential of perovskites has not yet been realised. Strong light emission is essential for both solar cells and LEDs to reach their theoretical efficiency limits, but emission and therefore performance is still limited by parasitic emission loss pathways that are still poorly understood. The films are made up of densely packed crystals (grains) and we hypothesise that each grain has slightly different local chemistry and structural properties, some of which are defective. The ultimate aim of this work is to determine the fundamental origin of these loss pathways in perovskite films and full devices by elucidating which are the optimal chemical and structural properties, and using this information to achieve optimal films.

This aim will be achieved by measuring the grain-to-grain emission using a novel microscope system which will allow rapid imaging of the emission with high spatial resolution. Most microscopic emission measurements on perovskites to date have employed confocal microscopes in which the emission is mapped by taking sequential measurements of the spectra of adjacent regions and moving the sample point by point until the region of interest has been covered. On the other hand, imaging consists of focusing the image of a sample on a detector and measuring for each pixel the intensity of light at one particular wavelength, much like taking a photograph, but at a single wavelength. In some applications, the power of the laser used in imaging can be orders of magnitude higher than in mapping, since the power is spread over the whole region instead of a single point, thus allowing measurement under device-like conditions. Imaging also permits a higher resolution and reduces the acquisition time by orders of magnitude.

Emission images under both light (photoluminescence) and when applying an electrical bias (electroluminescence) will be acquired. The emission images of the same scan area will then be directly correlated with maps of the local grain-to-grain chemistry using electron microscopy techniques including energy-dispersive X-Ray (EDX) spectroscopy and local structural measurements using a nano-X-Ray Diffraction (n-XRD) beamline at the Diamond synchrotron.

The work is highly timely and the results will provide a platform for efforts to take perovskites to their efficiency limits. The work will reveal the specific preferred chemistry and structural properties which must be targeted for growth of higher performing perovskite films and also reveal insights into potential post-treatments capable of healing defects in the perovskite materials. This will be of strong interest to a range of academic researchers in the perovskite field as well as industrial entities such as UK-based Oxford PV, which is leading the current commercialisation efforts of this exciting technology. Finally, the project will allow the PI to establish his team as a world-leading group with a cutting-edge programme and toolset.

Planned Impact

The work has the potential for significant economic impact through important fundamental science discoveries relating to the origins of loss mechanisms in perovskite films and devices. These results will lead directly into wider programmes to exploit this knowledge to rationally eliminate the losses through passivation treatments and/or improved crystal growth. Many of these efforts will be UK-based owing to significant relevant local experience. It is likely that several routes to enhance perovskite performance along these lines will be discovered in the proposed work alone. These findings and any associated IP will be of strong interest to companies focusing on commercialisation of the perovskite technology, and the PI and the University will undertake licensing discussions with relevant entities such as the UK-based companies Oxford PV and Heliochrome. Success in the project and any subsequent licensing agreement will push the perovskite technology ever closer to commercialisation, increasing the value of these indigenous UK companies by attracting further international investment. The technology has enormous scope for international scale and could therefore generate substantial value for the UK economy.

The work would provide the fundamental science that, through the above commercialisation routes, could lead to low-cost, clean renewable solar power and lighting technologies. This would have enormous benefits for UK society by generating strong PV and lighting industries with significant job creation. The next decade will be decisive for the future of the UK PV industry and this project is suitably timely to provide an important contribution to this sector and to energy-based policy. Low-cost power and light-emission technologies will also help the UK and other countries to meet their emissions and renewable energy target, limiting the damaging effects of climate change for future generations. The move from resource-based fossil fuels to sustainable renewables will have positive implications for energy security and the geo-politics. Furthermore, a low-cost energy source could provide power for the 1.3 billion people in the developing world who currently lack access to electricity. Solar power has the potential to do for developing communities what mobile phones have done for telecommunications: they allow several phases of infrastructure to be bypassed, permitting communities without grid electricity to realise dramatic improvements in quality of life. Likewise, demonstration of perovskite lighting at quality comparable to today's technologies will lead to opportunities for deployment of low-cost lighting solutions.

Publications

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Andaji-Garmaroudi Z (2020) Elucidating and Mitigating Degradation Processes in Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes in Advanced Energy Materials

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Andaji-Garmaroudi Z (2019) A Highly Emissive Surface Layer in Mixed-Halide Multication Perovskites. in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

 
Description We have explored halide perovskite materials and devices for solar cell and light emitting diode applications. These materials are generating excitement for low-cost but high-performance applications. We can summarise three key achievements of the project:

Significant new knowledge generated. We have developed a fundamental understanding of how non-radiative recombination losses manifest themselves in halide perovskite devices, particularly through understanding the nature of deep trap states and their spatial distributions across the samples. This knowledge has allowed us to develop passivation methods to address these trap states, which in turn have improved solar cell performance. We have also understood the subleties of carrier diffusion and its impact on wide field and confocal luminescence mapping.

New or improved research methods or skills developed. We developed a suite of luminescence mapping techniques capable of extracting key material and device parameters, that can in turn relate to the performance of the full device. This has enhanced our group's research capabilities and given new insights into device performance losses.

Particularly noteworthy new research networks/collaborations/partnerships, or combinations of these. We have established new international collaborations with various groups. One noteworthy collaboration has been with Professor Keshav Dani's group (Okinawa Institute of Technology), where we combined our luminescence mapping techniques with their photo-emission (trap) mapping techniques, realising very fruitful synergy and some high profile discoveries. Moreover, the New Investigator research grant achieved its aims of establishing my research group as key pioneers in this space.
Exploitation Route The methodologies of wide field imaging will be applied in different areas, including X-ray detector development. We are working closely with industry partners to apply these methods to early stage commercialisation technologies, and we expect success there will allow for wider use in industry. We expect the research findings about traps and defect passivation will continue to be adopted by academic research groups developing and optimising devices with halide perovskites.
Sectors Electronics

Energy

 
Description The methodologies are now starting to be employed to work with industry partners to understand power losses in lighting and solar cell technologies in technologies being commercialised. This is emerging, and we expect this activity to grow over the coming period. We have founded a charity based on some of the research work, which is educating school children about climate change and how technology (such as that being developed in this project) will play a key role in realising climate solutions. We have engaged with 20 schools so far, and developed teaching modules that are being adopted by teachers.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Education,Electronics
 
Description STFC Physical Sciences & Engineering Advisory Panel
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Improving national STFC facilities access, availability and diversity of equipment
 
Description Bright & Breezy: Exploring next-generation energy solutions with the next generation
Amount £4,000 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2020 
 
Description ECCS-EPSRC Superlattice Architectures for Efficient and Stable Perovskite LEDs
Amount £1,095,855 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/V06164X/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2022 
End 09/2025
 
Description High-Efficiency Flexible and Scalable Halide-Perovskite Solar Modules
Amount £2,271,562 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/V027131/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2022 
End 06/2025
 
Description Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship
Amount € 212,933 (EUR)
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 07/2019 
End 08/2021
 
Title Wide-field hyperspectral imaging of thin films and devices 
Description We have customised a hyperspectral imaging setup to measure photoluminescence, electroluminescence, transmission and reflection of thin film samples under operating conditions relevant to devices (for example photovoltaic or light-emitting diodes). More recently, this has been demonstrated on barrert structures 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact We are currently utilising the instrument for a variety of ongoing projects and we hope to have further academic publications on these to report soon. We hope to extend its capabilities to a range of samples from collaborators. 
URL https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-021-01019-7
 
Title Data Supporting: Tunable Multiband Halide Perovskite Tandem Photodetectors with Switchable Response 
Description Data supporting the publication entitled "Tunable Multiband Halide Perovskite Tandem Photodetectors with Switchable Response" This data set includes information on the modelling of the photodetector behaviour, calculating the impact of perovskite band gap and thickness. The dataset contains the data of the optimisation of narrowband detection performance, using EQE scans. The charactersation of photodetector performance, including noise and response speed. Finally, data on the demonstration of an encrypted comms. method is contained. All data was obtained as CSV files and processed in excel 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/346715
 
Title Data for: Relaxed current matching requirements in highly luminescent perovskite tandem solar cells and their fundamental efficiency limits 
Description Figure 1 contains data for the limiting efficiency of a Shockley-Queisser tandem solar cell, with and without luminescence coupling included in simulations. Figure 2 contains decay data from transient absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence quantum efficiency measurements for the halide perovskite thin film FA0.7Cs0.3Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3. It also contains absorption coefficient and (real) refractive index for both FA0.7Cs0.3Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 and FAPb0.5Sn0.5I3 thin films, as measured by a combination of ellipsometry, photothermal deflection spectroscopy and Ubach tail fitting. Figure 3 contans the absorbance of FAPb0.5Sn0.5I3 in an idealised tandem stack with FA0.7Cs0.3Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3, the limiting efficiency of this stack as a function of thickness without and with luminescence coupling included in simulations, and the difference in power generated throughout the year without and with luminescence coupling for a typical spectral year on the Canada/USA border from these modelled solar cells. Figure 4 contains the limiting efficiency of the all-perovskite tandem as a function of charge trapping rate (for optimised thicknesses) with luminescence coupling, and a ratio of this result to a second simulation including luminescnece coupling. Figure 5 explores an experimental all-perovskite tandem solar cell. It contains the photoluminescence emission (relative to that at open-circuit voltage) of the high-bandgap sub-cell as a function of applied voltage when illuminated by a 405nm laser, the microscopic photoluminescence from a cross section of the tandem when excited by a 636nm laser, the photolumiescence from a cross section of this region when only the high-bandgap sub-cell is excited, and the time resolve photoluminescence of this emission. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/316458
 
Title Research Data Supporting Visualising Performance-Limiting Nanoscale Trap Clusters at Grain Junctions in Halide Perovskites 
Description This repository contains data necessary to reproduce figures and results from the associated manuscript. Files included contain data from scanning electron diffraction , photo emission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy and photoluminescence measurements. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/304634
 
Title Research data for: Halide remixing under device operation imparts stability on mixed-cation mixed-halide perovskite solar cells 
Description This entry contains the data required to reproduce the figures from the main text of the associated manuscript. This includes: - GIWAXS diffractograms (calibrated, processed, and extracted to a readily-readable format) and relative extracted peak positions - current vs time data - current vs voltage data - photoluminescence spectra (wavelength-dependent, and eV-dependent) and relative peak positions. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/339701
 
Title Research data supporting "Directed Energy Transfer from Monolayer WS2 to Near Infrared Emitting PbS-CdS Quantum Dots" 
Description Optical characterisation data of 2D/QD heterostructure. i.e. steady state photoluminescence, absorption data of monolayer WS2, PbS-CdS quantum dots and WS2/PbS-CdS heterostructure; Time resolved PL of WS2, PbS-CdS and WS2/PbS-CdS heterostructure. Each data set is entitled with figure name in article i.e Main_Fig1c-e_SI_Fig3 contains raw data and figures for Figure 1c-e in main article and figure 3 in Supplementary information (SI) Main_Fig2_b-e_SI_Fig1-2 contains raw data and figures for Figure 2b-e in main article and figures 1-2 in Supplementary information (SI) Main_Fig_2a_RHS contains raw data for Figure 2a in main article Main_Fis_2a_RHS_processed contains figure for Figure 2a in main article Main_Fig3_Main_Fig5 contains raw data and figures for Figure 3 and 5 in the main article Main_Fig4 contains raw data and figures for Figure 4 in the main article 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/311242
 
Title Research data supporting "How to Characterize Emerging Luminescent Semiconductors with Unknown Photophysical Properties" 
Description Figure 4b is of time resolved photoluminescence decay from a formamidinium-cesium lead iodide (Cs0.3FA0.7PbI3) halide perovskite following excitation at 470 nm at different incident laser powers, with experimental setup described in A. R. Bowman, S. D. Stranks, and B. Monserrat, Investigation of singlet fission-halide perovskite interfaces, Chem. Mater. 34, 4865 (2022). Figure 5a presents the scaling of initial counts with laser power for time resolved photoluminescence decays of methylammonium lead iodide and platinum octaethylporphyrin, using the experimental setup described in A. R. Bowman, S. Macpherson, A. Abfalterer, K. Frohna, S. Nagane, and S. D. Stranks, Extracting Decay-Rate Ratios from Photoluminescence Quantum Efficiency Measurements in Optoelectronic Semiconductors, Phys. Rev. Appl. 17, 044026 (2022). Figure 5b and c present the time resolved luminescence decay and scaling of initial counts with time between laser pulses of methylammonium lead iodide when using tine correlated single photon counting. Data for (b),(c) are generated using a 520 nm laser (PicoQuant LDH 400) pulse and recorded by a single-photon avalanche diode (LifeSpec - ps, Edinburgh Instruments). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/352684
 
Title Research data supporting "Local Nanoscale Phase Impurities are Degradation Sites in Halide Perovskites" 
Description Understanding the nanoscopic chemical and structural changes that drive instabilities in emerging energy materials is essential for mitigating device degradation. The power conversion efficiency of halide perovskite photovoltaic devices has reached 25.7% in single junction and 29.8% in tandem perovskite/silicon cells1,2, yet retaining such performance under continuous operation has remained elusive3. Here, we develop a multimodal microscopy toolkit to reveal that in leading formamidinium-rich perovskite absorbers, nanoscale phase impurities including hexagonal polytype and lead iodide inclusions are not only traps for photo-excited carriers which themselves reduce performance4,5, but via the same trapping process are sites at which photochemical degradation of the absorber layer is seeded. We visualise illumination-induced structural changes at phase impurities associated with trap clusters, revealing that even trace amounts of these phases, otherwise undetected with bulk measurements, compromise device longevity. The type and distribution of these unwanted phase inclusions depends on film composition and processing, with the presence of polytypes being most detrimental for film photo-stability. Importantly, we reveal that performance losses and intrinsic degradation processes can both be mitigated by modulating these defective phase impurities, and demonstrate that this requires careful tuning of local structural and chemical properties. This multimodal workflow to correlate the nanoscopic landscape of beam sensitive energy materials will be applicable to a wide range of semiconductors for which a local picture of performance and operational stability has yet to be established. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/342320
 
Title Research data supporting "Nanoscale Chemical Heterogeneity Dominates the Optoelectronic Response of Alloyed Perovskite Solar Cells" 
Description This repository contains the data required to reproduce the figures from the associated manuscript. This data includes hyperspectral optical imaging cubes, nano X-ray fluorescence and diffraction maps and transient absorption microscopy data. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/329908
 
Title Research data supporting "Tetrafluoroborate-Induced Reduction in Defect Density in Hybrid Perovskites through Halide Management" 
Description Here, the effect of the molecular ion BF4-, introduced via methylammonium tetrafluoroborate (MABF4) in a surface treatment for MAPbI3 perovskite is reported. The optical spectroscopic characterisations shows that the introduction of tetrafluoroborate leads to reduced non-radiative charge carrier recombination with a reduction in first order recombination rate from 6.5 × 106 to 2.5 × 105 s-1 in BF4--treated samples, and a consequent increase in photoluminescence quantum yield by an order of magnitude (from 0.5% to 10.4%). 19F, 11B and 14N solid-state NMR is used to elucidate the atomic-level mechanism of the BF4- additive-induced improvements, revealing that the BF4- acts as a scavenger of excess MAI by forming MAI-MABF4 cocrystals. This shifts the equilibrium of iodide concentration in the perovskite phase is presumably due to the formation of MAI-MABF4 cocrystal, thereby reducing the concentration of interstitial iodide defects that act as deep traps and non-radiative recombination centers. These collective results allow us, for the first time, to elucidate the microscopic mechanism of action of BF4-. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/333468
 
Title Research data supporting "Unveiling the interaction mechanisms of electron and X-ray radiation with halide perovskite semiconductors using scanning nano-probe diffraction" 
Description The original data files for SED are found in the `data` folder. Each diffraction file can be opened using Python with some additional open-source packages (mainly pyXem). The nXRD and sXRD files are found in the data folder. They can be opened using Python (using hyperSpy). In the `models` folder, documents for modelling and simulations are stored. In the `casino_sim` there are the CASINO simulation for the electron beam interaction volume. In the `cross_sections` there are the calculations for the scattering cross sections. In the `crystal_structures` there are the collections of `.cif` files with the crystal structures of interest and the diffraction simulations that can be opened using the CrystalMaker software. In the `space_radiation` folder there are the SPENVIS simulation files. In the `notebooks` folder, all the Jupyter Notebook files are stored for the data analysis and data plotting of all the data files. In order to reproduce the results, please use the `requirements.txt` file to create an Anaconda virtual environment with all the necessary Python packages. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/335115
 
Title Research data supporting 'Imaging Light-Induced Migration of Dislocations in Halide Perovskites with 3D Nanoscale Strain Mapping' 
Description Research data supporting "Imaging Light-Induced Migration of Dislocations in Halide Perovskites with 3D Nanoscale Strain Mapping". The .zip file contains all the data required to reproduce the main text and supporting figures. For more details see the read_me files located in the main folder and also subfolders. The primary data types are raw diffraction data (intensity counts per pixel) from Bragg coherent diffraction imaging scans performed at the I13-1 beamline of the Diamond Light Source Synchrotron in Didcot, UK. These data are in stacked .tif file format and are all organised according to the figure in which they are used. These tif stacks can then be reconstructed into real space objects ("reconstructions") using the MatLab code provided in the "reconstruction code" folder with instructions on how to use the code are contained in this folder's "read_me.txt" file. Data characterising the dislocations found in this work are generated though analysis of the dislocation-containing reconstructions according to the method outlined in the manuscript. This analysis was performed using Paraview software. The other data contained in this file are from photoluminescence microscopy measurements performed in Stranks group labs in Cambridge. Detailed equipment specifications and measurement methods are given in the linked manuscript. Hyperspectral mapping data is in .h5 format which can be opened using python and we recommend using the HyperSpy package linked in the relevant "read_me.txt" files. Time-resolved photoluminescence data are provided in .csv format for ease of plotting. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/358048
 
Title Research data supporting 'Investigation of singlet fission-halide perovskite interfaces'. 
Description Experimental data of change of tetracene and halide perovskite photoluminescence with applied magnetic field, a spectrum of a bilayer and time resolved photoluminescence when exiting and measuring at different wavelengths. Modelling results of: i) The change in the density functional theory (DFT)-level bandgap with number of repeating tetracene units in different directions and associated inputs and outputs from DFT codes. ii) Input and output of calculations DFT and post-DFT calculations of singlet and triplet states in bulk tetracene. iii) The change in the DFT-level bandgap of CsPbI3 with number of repeating units, for both CsI and PbI2 terminations. Associated input and outputs from DFT calculations. iv) Projected density of states for a tetracene molecule on the surface of a halide perovskite (with different orientations). Associated input and outputs from DFT calculations. v) Projected density of states for tetracene/halide perovskite bilayers (with different orientations of tetracene and surface terminations of the halide perovskite). Associated input and outputs from DFT calculations. vi) The difference in DFT and post-DFT energy levels calculated for toy models of tetracene on halide perovskite (both CsI and PbI2 surface terminations). Associated input and outputs from DFT and post-DFT calculations. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/336768
 
Title Research data supporting: "Quantifying photon recycling in solar cells and light emitting diodes: absorption and emission are always key" 
Description Figure 1 plots the number of photon recycling events per initial excitation versus photoluminescence quantum efficiency and escape probability, calculated from equation 6 given in manuscript. Figures 2 and 3 model photon recycling in methylammonium lead iodide solar cells. Figure 2 shows the number of photon recycling at maximum power point events versus; thickness (with no charge trapping); charge trapping rate (for a 500nm film); and as a fucntion of front transmission and back reflection coefficients (for a 500nm film). The inset in Figure 2a shows corresponding information to 2a, but at open circuit. Figure 3 shows number of photon recycling events versus efficiency, both as a function of charge trapping rate for a 500nm film, for a film which interacts with a 2*pi hemisphere and 2.5 degrees solid angle about the sun in a) and c) respectively. b) shows the current-voltage curves for some situations described in a) (for no charge trapping, 500nm film). Figure 4 models photon recycling in caesium lead bromide light emittiong diodes. Figure 4: a shows the number of photon recycling events versus thickness (with no charge trapping); b shows the number of photon recycling events versus voltage for different charge trapping rates (for a 100nm film); c the number of photon recycling events versus front transmission and back reflection coefficients (for a 100nm thick film and no charge trapping). Figure 4d presents normalised photoluminescence for three absorption models considered; and e and f the number of photon recycling events versus emitted light (luminous emittance or luminance respectively) both as a function of voltage, for three different emittance models considered, for emission into a 2*pi hemisphere (e) or 2.5 degree solid angle (f), both for a 100nm thin film. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/307708
 
Company Name Sustain/Education Ltd 
Description Sustain/Ed provides free educational resources and interactive lesson plans on energy, the environment, and sustainability innovations for students aged 7-12. 
Year Established 2021 
Impact Currently running the modules in 14 schools across the UK, and planning to expand across the country in the coming year.
Website http://sustaineducation.org/
 
Description Annual Cambridge Science Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We performed a hands-on activity: building dye-sensitised solar cells with frozen berries, and other low-cost materials.
The attendees were given instruction sheets detailing how to build a dye sensitised solar cell, and they were also taught the physics behind how a solar cell works. For this event, we hoped to promote the different applications of solar cells in the world.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL https://www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk/events/ceb-visions
 
Description Article in the Conversation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article describing latest on perovskite technology and commercialisation pursuits. There have been over 35,000 reads of the article from international audience
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://theconversation.com/how-a-new-solar-and-lighting-technology-could-propel-a-renewable-energy-...
 
Description Cambridge Festival of Ideas 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This activity is a boardgame we invented to teach the general public about what sacrafices will need to be made in order to prevent climate change in our local areas. We ask questions like: Is your community future proof? How will we adapt to climate change? What would you be willing to change for a resilient life?
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL https://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/2050-new-world
 
Description Erasumus programme workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Students came to visit that are apart of the Erasmus programme that is based around sustainable energy. Their teachers also hoped to get a bit of an understanding of current trends in technologies related to this, alongside a little cultural experience from bringing them to Cambridge. The group was also given a Cavendish Laboratory museum tour and then took part of the physics workshop linked to the sustainability and energy storage. We discussed renewable energy usage in the EU, discussed how we make earth observations to monitor data on climate change, solar energy, and batteries..
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description IoP Physics Fest Pop-up in Ipswich 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The objective is to raise the profile of physics in this region and to try to inspire more children to study physics at GCSE and A level. Our way to do this is to go there with enthusiastic people and do lectures and demonstrations for them in the hope that they may have a 'Wow' moment!
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9vryORKevs&index=4&list=PLnpAhkiu3jSY1ZmoAlsuFy6nTfZFxk8ac
 
Description Physics at Work Exhibition 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The primary aim of the exhibition is to stimulate interest and encourage wider participation in physics amongst 14-16 year olds by showcasing the many and varied ways in which physics is used in the everyday world. The Physics at Work Exhibition is an integral part of the Cavendish Laboratory's Aspiration Raising activities, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/programme/physicsatwork
 
Description Physics at Work annual 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The primary aim of the exhibition is to stimulate interest and encourage wider participation in physics amongst 14-16 year olds by showcasing the many and varied ways in which physics is used in the everyday world. The Physics at Work Exhibition is an integral part of the Cavendish Laboratory's Aspiration Raising activities, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
 
Description Primary School Energy Mapping Challenge 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact As scientific researchers at the University of Cambridge one of our jobs is to discover and develop novel materials that will help provide green energy for future generations, with a focus on producing low-cost solar cell materials. We also have a responsibility to share our research and expertise with others in order to accelerate the uptake of green energy sources and spread awareness of the issues faced by society.

The Primary School Energy Mapping Challenge is one such way to reach out and share the knowledge we have gained from our studies and experiments. With this project we aim to teach budding young scientists at Primary Schools across the UK, about the benefits of renewable energy and its potential to permanently replace fossil fuels.

In this programme, we are asking students to measure the sunlight and wind-speed in their school yards, each day, for a six-week period. By providing measurement instruments and demonstrations we will facilitate development of their investigative skills and scientific mindedness. Pupils will log their data on this online portal which not only describes and contextualises the amount of energy that could be generated by a small wind turbine or solar installation on their school grounds but allows them to compare data with other schools around the country.

This project hopes to give awareness to the youth that will be affected by the climate crisis, while also teaching them important critical thinking and data acquisition skills that are appropriate for this age group (Year 6, Primary 7). Equipped with wind and solar measurement tools, the students will take complete ownership of the project. Throughout, they will be exposed to concepts such as energy, power, electricity, and scientific units.

We are thrilled with the energy and enthusiasm shown by the students so far and hope to keep this project growing across the UK. If your Primary School is interested in joining in on this unique challenge, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://energymap.oe.phy.cam.ac.uk/