Projects | Laboratory for Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices

Our research is focused on nanostructured organic, inorganic, and organic-inorganic hybrid materials, particularly for applications in efficient energy conversion. We study the physical properties of these materials and apply this knowledge to solid state device design and fabrication. In particular, devices of interest include solar cells, LEDs, diode lasers, transistors, and memories. As an integral part of this work, we develop novel techniques for organic semiconductor processing, including large-area vapor-phase deposition, high-resolution direct patterning (solvent-free printing), and molecular self-assembly, in addition to more traditional nano- and microfabrication methods. We also develop device and material characterization tools at several size scales, including far-field optical thermal measurement techniques and near-field optical and thermal scanning probe technologies.

The key challenges explored by our research, such as nanomanufacturing, conversion efficiency, and device reliability require expertise from several disciplines including semiconductor device physics, nanofabrication, chemistry, microscale heat transfer, and materials science. The areas of potential impact range from alternative energy technologies to high-power electronic/optoelectronic devices and high-resolution biological imaging.

Click on the project topics listed in the left panel to find out more.