top of page

Our People

The minds behind the success of our research

Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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 was not known before.


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Research Fellows

Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Dr Yan ZHU

Why is your research important?

Characterisation 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 characterisation techniques.


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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.


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Dr Rama SHARMA

Why is your research important?

My research is mainly committed to confronting climate change, focusing on enhancing solar energy systems' efficiency and reliability using machine learning. This involves developing algorithms for defect detection in solar panels, facilitating their performance improvement, and proactive maintenance. Additionally, I am crafting predictive financial models to determine the most economically advantageous time for replacing and disposing of solar modules...

Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Dr Félix GAYOT

Why is your research important?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are primed to make a significant impact on addressing the pressing climate change crisis our society is facing today. There is a concerted effort all around the world to enhance the efficiency of these systems in capturing solar energy and converting it into electricity. Reliable characterisation techniques, and notably luminescence-based techniques are playing a crucial role in this effort by helping us understand what factors hinder solar...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Dr Arthur JULIEN

What do you like about research?  

I am deeply curious about understanding the physical driving forces in nature and how to observe and understand them. I like the fact that in developing high-performing solar cells, we not only improve technology but also discover or gain a better understanding of new physical phenomena and materials. Even when our objective is simply to design an object, we contribute to the expansion of human scientific knowledge.

Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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.




Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Dr 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...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

PhD Students

Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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.




Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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.




Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Tanushree JB NATH

Why is your research important?

Solar cells are low voltage, high current devices. This requires the minimisation of series resistance losses to achieve high power conversion efficiencies, which highlights the importance of series resistance imaging in solar cells. 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 series resistance imaging and advanced characterisation of tandem solar cells helps analyse their performance and...


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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...



Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

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.


Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Grace Sze Wai LIU

Why is your research important?

My research is important because it fully realises the potential of the data that already exists. When this data is fully utilised, it can greatly improve efficiency and thus accelerate the shift towards renewables. In general, research is important to push the boundaries of what we know. Innovation can’t progress without it.







Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg
Priya Dwivedi closer.jpg

Alumni

Simon ZHANG

Dr Yoann BURATTI

Dr Raghavi BHOOPATHY

Dr Kyung KIM

Dr Jack COLWELL

Dr Aref SAMADI

Dr Saman JAFARI

Dr Robert LEE CHIN

Dr Robert DUMBRELL

Past Research Fellows

Dr Tien-Chun WU

Dr Arman MAHBOUBI SOUFIANI

Dr Priya DWIVEDI

Dr Nino BOROJEVIC

bottom of page