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Our People

The minds behind the success of our research

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Professor Ziv HAMEIRI

Why is your research important?

All the different aspects of my research aim to achieve the same goal: Making photovoltaics cheaper. I truly believe that solar energy (and a vegetarian diet) is the only way to save our planet. Through my research, I am trying to do my part to save the world faster.


What do you like about research?

The fact that my passion is also the main way to save the world. Working with very smart and creative people. Being challenged all the time. Discovering something that did not exist before.


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Research Fellows

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Dr Yan ZHU

Why is your research important?

Characterization is essential for understanding the performance limiting factors for photovoltaic devices, not only for research but also for industry. Defects stimulate the recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. Therefore, controlling the defects is essential for improving the performance of photovoltaic devices. The continuing improvement of photovoltaic materials and device architectures also calls for new characterization techniques.



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Dr Brendan WRIGHT

Why is your research important?

Understanding the dynamics of complex physical systems is difficult. But the more you understand, the better your predictions of the future become. And who doesn't want to predict the future?


Why do you like research?

It is far more rewarding to explore the uncertain and discover the unknown than to shelter in the safety of established knowledge. Research improves your odds...


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Dr Shuai NIE

Why is your research important?

Improving the understanding of the materials’ electrical properties, their temperature dependence and their impact on solar cell performance and energy yield in the field.


Why do you like research?

It always surprises me! Nothing will go according to plan and your expectations.




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Dr Rama SHARMA

Why is your research important?

With a deep dedication to tackling the urgent issues of climate change, my research revolves around harnessing the potential of machine learning to bolster the efficiency and dependability of solar energy systems, ultimately contributing to a sustainable future. By utilising sophisticated algorithms and data-driven methodologies, my aim is to automatically detect and categorise flaws in photovoltaic modules, enabling us to enhance their...


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Dr Félix GAYOT

Why is your research important?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the urgent climate change crisis that our society is currently facing. Intensive global endeavors are underway to amplify the effectiveness of these systems in harnessing solar energy and converting it into electricity. In this pursuit, the ongoing development of luminescence-based characterisation techniques is proving invaluable in comprehending the factors...


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Dr Robert LEE CHIN

Why is your research important?

Helps the fundamental understanding of the nature of defects in solar materials. Luminescence in general is a versatile technique because it can be used to quantify losses from defects in solar cells at any stage of fabrication (precursors to cells) and any type of solar cell absorbers (from silicon to perovskites, III-V materials, kesterites). When combined with a microscope setup and different detection methods, such as spectrally-resolved and injection-dependent, you can extract rich information about the...


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Dr John RODRIGUEZ

Why is your research important?  

Crystalline silicon solar cells with passivated contacts will be one of the most dominant and widely produced solar cell technologies in the coming decades. The development of high-efficiency passivated contact devices – and the next-generation materials needed for them – will drive the levelized cost of electricity to new lows and further cement photovoltaic energy’s place as the most cost-effective form of electricity generation we have available.


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Dr Tien-Chun WU

Why is your research important?

Reliable forecasting and coordination of utility-scale renewable energy generation and EV-grid interactions pave the path towards energy-efficient net-zero carbon emissions target. The development of scalable spatiotemporal multimodal deep learning models would achieve these capabilities and help policymakers address the imminent climate crisis with quantifiable recommendations.

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Dr Ali SHAKIBA

Why is your research important?

My research focuses on the advancement of algorithms, both by developing new ones and enhancing existing ones, with the primary objective of efficiently processing emerging data and models. A particular emphasis is placed on utilising these algorithms to address practical issues encountered in real-world scenarios. Lately, I have been particularly enthusiastic about utilising my expertise to tackle the challenges facing utility-scale photovoltaic plants...


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PhD Students

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Anh Huy Tuan LE

Why is your research important?

Although transition metal oxides (TMO)-based solar cells are very promising with regards to device efficiency, TMO passivating contacts have been limited to small devices using deposition techniques that are impractical for industrial applications. My research is to develop TMO passivating contacts using common industrial techniques that can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing capacity. Furthermore, I investigate passivating contacts using advanced characterization techniques to gain a better understanding and more insights...


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Simon ZHANG

Why is your research important?

My research has two unifying themes: (1) introducing established characterisation techniques to novel fields within photovoltaics; (2) validating photovoltaic technologies for long-term field conditions. The former, under which both of my Suns-Voc projects fall, fills a gap in characterisation method development for different photovoltaic materials. It therefore has high potential to provide novel findings from previously unconsidered perspectives. My field-oriented studies aim to ensure that state-of-the-art technologies developed in the...


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Zubair ABDULLAH-VETTER

Why is your research important?

Combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the amazing UNSW-developed techniques, such as photoluminescence imaging, will bring new insights to the photovoltaic industry. My research assists developing higher standards for quality and reliability of photovoltaic devices. This is a critical need, especially these days during the very fast growth of the solar industry. The most crucial aspect of my research is its contribution to tackling climate change. With faster and more efficient AI driven analysis techniques, we can make better...


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Gaia Maria JAVIER

Why is your research important?

My research aims to develop algorithms that can improve the reliability and costs of photovoltaic systems. I think doing this will contribute to much needed efforts in making energy affordable, environment-friendly, and sustainable.


Why do you like research?

I enjoy learning new things, knowing why and how, and finding better solutions. With this knowledge, I can share it and help communities.




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Soma ZANDI

Why is your research important?

Designing high efficiency solar cells at low cost and high stability contributes to numerous environmental and social benefits, such as producing far less global warming emissions, and improving standards of living in areas with the lack of power infrastructure. Among various types of solar cells, perovskite based tandem cells has been known as a promising photovoltaic technology toward achieving these goals. That’s why I am motivated to work in this area. My research focuses on the development and the electro-optical modeling of perovskite-based...


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Yun LI

Why is your research important?

My research can make solar panels more commercially viable. Through machine learning, photovoltaic technologies can become a better practical choice for companies and households.


What do you like about research?

I am keen on learning new knowledge and skills, and the fact that my research might contribute to saving the environment makes me happy.




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Tanushree JB NATH

Why is your research important?

Most projections consider tandem solar cells, with efficiencies noticeably exceeding that of single-junction silicon solar cells, as the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technology. My research on the characterisation of tandem solar cells helps analyse their performance and determine the improvements that are required to obtain their full potential.


What do you like about research?

Research allows me to connect and brainstorm ideas with different people and learn from them...


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Zhiwen ZHENG

Why is your research important?

With the recent carbon emission crisis and the emergence of severe energy problems, developing more efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic technologies to increase the share of renewables in the world's energy structure seems particularly important. The tandem cell is an interesting and promising technology since it has great potential to overcome traditional limits for single-cell efficiency. My research aims to apply numerical simulation and experimental devices (especially PL/EL imaging technologies) to...



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Sijin WANG

Why is your research important?

Defects limit the performance of solar cells. My research uses machine learning to characterise defects in silicon based on lifetime measurements. Doing this can help make silicon photovoltaic devices more efficient and cheaper.


What do you like about research?

Solving problems that have not been solved by anyone before makes me feel excited. Also, knowing that my research will help fight against climate change makes me more passionate about my research area.


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Alumni

Dr Aref SAMADI

Dr Saman JAFARI

Dr Robert DUMBRELL

Dr Jack COLWELL

Dr Yoann BURATTI

Dr Raghavi BHOOPATHY

Dr Kyung KIM

Past Research Fellows

Dr Priya DWIVEDI

Dr Nino BOROJEVIC

Dr Arman MAHBOUBI SOUFIANI

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