Fully Funded EPSRC and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership PhD Scholarship: Next-Generation Photovoltaics: Module and panel design for Roll-to-Roll Printed Perovskite Cells

Funding providers: EPSRC and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership

Subject areas: Photovoltaics, Perovskites, Module design, Engineering

Project start date:

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Professor Trystan Watson (t.m.watson@swansea.ac.uk)
• Dr Eifion Jewell
• Dr David Beynon

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

This 4-year PhD position offers an exciting opportunity to join the STRIPS Project (Swansea Tata Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV). As part of the STRIPS project, which encompasses 4-6 PhD studentships across 5 research groups in Swansea, all commencing in 2024, you will be an integral part of a dynamic doctoral cohort. This unique opportunity provides the successful candidate with the chance to collaborate not only with peers in Swansea but with the vast network of projects on photovoltaics across the UK and beyond.

Your role will explore a critical barrier to the successful implementation of the newest revolution in solar energy research – module design and development. Working as part of the existing research team led by Professor Trystan Watson you will explore how the next generation of printed solar cells can be taken from the printing of single layers to the integration of modules into functional panels.

In particular you will consider aspects of module connection from series to parallel connection, minimising shading losses and bypass diodes to new grid based electrode concepts for linking packaged modules to the steel substrate itself to produce a functional product. Overcoming this challenge is essential for their wider adoption in sustainable energy, making it one of the top priorities in the field.

In this pivotal role, the selected candidate will engage in groundbreaking research, with a special focus on taking the modules produced by the STRIPS project and solving the problems required to integrate them into a steel panel which include panel design and layout, electrical connection and adhesion. In addition to academic exploration, this role offers the chance to collaborate with industry leaders, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical, scalable applications. This initiative is not merely about advancing solar technology but is a commitment to contributing towards a sustainable energy future through durable, efficient solar solutions

Candidates with a keen interest in solar energy, perovskite photovoltaics, materials, electrical, mechanical and process engineering are encouraged to apply. If you possess a diverse skill set and are passionate about highly applied and impactful research, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of sustainable energy technologies.

Associated projects:

• Swansea TATA Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV (STRIPS)
• SPECIFIC
• SUNRISE