Prof. Kirmani from RIT delivered an informative presentation to our faculty in the framework of Solar Energy Seminar Series!

February 6, 2025

Dr. Ahmad Kirmani Presents Insights on Radiation Hardness of Perovskite-Based Solar Cells

Dr. Ahmad Kirmani, an Assistant Professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), NY, leads a research group dedicated to advancing printable semiconductors for extreme environments, including outer space.

As part of our Solar Energy Seminar (SES) Series, Dr. Kirmani delivered an insightful talk to our research group and faculty on the radiation hardness of perovskite-based solar cells. Through SES, we continue to engage with leading international researchers, fostering collaborative studies and expanding the expertise of the Physical Chemistry Department in space photovoltaics.

Dr. Kirmani’s talk, titled "Contrasting Proton and Electron Radiation Effects in Metal-Halide Perovskites,"addressed the growing demand for next-generation, scalable, low-cost, and space-tolerant electronics. While traditional space power systems rely on silicon and III-V semiconductors, metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as a promising alternative.

In his seminar, Dr. Kirmani presented the latest understanding of radiation-matter interactions in MHPs, comparing the effects of proton and electron radiation in mixed-cation mixed-halide perovskite compositions. He highlighted that while MHPs exhibit strong resistance to proton-induced displacement damage, electron radiation poses a greater challenge due to localized temperature spikes that can lead to structural degradation.

His talk sparked engaging discussions on the potential of soft-lattice semiconductors in shaping the future of space power systems and beyond.

We appreciate Dr. Kirmani’s valuable contributions and look forward to future collaborations in space photovoltaics research!

 

A moment from Dr. Kirmani's online talk.