Faculty and Student Teams Program

Project Descriptions

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Center for Photovoltaics

Research Opportunities at NREL in the National Center for Photovoltaics, Process Technology and Advanced Concepts Group for Organic Photovoltaic Devices

Project Description

The organic photovoltaic device efforts focus on development and evaluation of novel organic device architectures.  Opportunities for qualified teams will focus on examination of device components and their role in device degradation.  This includes but is not limited to organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device fabrication, standard device testing, participation in existing device lifetime measurements as well as aiding in the development of new lifetime measurement analysis and testing procedures. Experimental techniques anticipated include, but are not limited to: optical, electron and scanning probe microscopy, optical reflection/transmission measurements, ellipsometery, optical/stylus profilometery, AC/DC electrical device characterization.

Applicants Responsibilities and Relationship to Projects

Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at NREL for up to 10 weeks during the summer starting in June.  Summer and academic year visits by NREL will be schedule by mutual agreement between the Research Project Managers at NREL and the successful applicant.  Faculty will be expected to identify students from the campus to participate in the FaST program offered by the Department of Energy at NREL. Faculty will provide mentorship and/or advising support to students during the summer research activities.  It is expected that the Faculty member will become an integral part of the research team working on this project and will support the project through the academic year on his or her campus.

Qualifications of Ideal Candidate

Faculty: Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, material science, and electrical engineering with experience in photovoltaics.  Works well in a collaborative environment with students and other researchers.  Currently teaches and collaborates with students in his/her field.  Possess good written and verbal communication skills.  Willing to work at NREL for an extended period during the summer.

Support and Financial Commitments

See Financial Information.

For More Information contact: