Nanoscale materials for energy harvesting

The development of portable energy harvesting power sources as an alternative to batteries is an attractive prospect that will permit a new class of renewable energy devices that can operate indefinitely. We have identified a class of nanoscale perovskite materials that are ideal for device integration due to their unique properties that lead to enhanced functionality. Less is however known about the physical mechanism responsible for the enhancement and role of surface and interfacial effects within the composite device structure.

This project will focus on materials simulation with our state-of-the-art High Performance
Computing (HPC) systems (Iridis) and device fabrication using the state-of-the-art facilities within the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre (Zepler Institute). optimal nanowire integration into a device setting and (2) fabrication of more exotic nanowires such as BaTiO. Both aspects will be explored on the project. We also want to explore mechanical durability and flexibility, charge extraction efficiency, compatibility with various substrates and failure tolerance when loaded or heated.