Ian R. Sellers, Associate Professor, Tedd S. Webb Presidential Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Oklahoma
Location: EER 3.642
Abstract: To enable large-scale implementation of solar cells for utility scale energy applications improvements in power conversion efficiency and system cost reductions must be achieved. To circumvent the fundamental limitations of single energy gap solar cells, devices based on third generation (3G) processes have been proposed. In this presentation I will introduce the operational principles of the solar cell, their current limitations, and concepts to overcome losses in such devices. Finally, I will describe work we are undertaking at the University of Oklahoma in this area. Our objective is to develop hot carrier solar cells, which aim to circumvent the particularly parasitic thermalization losses in photovoltaic systems and therefore increase the power conversion efficiencies of such technologies.
Speaker bio: Ian Sellers received his Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Liverpool in 1999, a Master Degree from the Dept. of Physics at Imperial College London in 2001, and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Sheffield in 2004. Between 2004 – 2006, Dr. Sellers was a Marie Curie Fellow at CRHEA-CNRS in Valbonne, France, a position that was followed by a postdoctoral position in the group of Professor Bruce D. McCombe at the University at Buffalo. In 2008, Dr. Sellers joined the Solar Energy and Technology Group as a Senior Research Scientist at Sharp Laboratories of Europe in Oxford, UK where, he also held the position of Visiting Academic Fellow in the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford. After spending three years in Industry, Dr. Sellers returned to the Academic environment taking a position at the University of Oklahoma in 2011 where he is currently a Ted S. Webb Presidential Professor of Physics. In addition to his faculty position at OU, Dr. Sellers is also the Associate Director of the Oklahoma Photovoltaics Research Institute. Dr. Sellers’ group at OU is focused on the development and investigation of novel quantum-engineered material and devices for next generation photovoltaics. Specific programs involve hot carrier dynamics in III-V and perovskite systems, defect formation and stability of thin-film CIGS and perovskites solar cells, as well as, their suitability for deep space power applications.