Research Projects
Ionizing radiation effect on structural, photoelectric and superconducting properties of next-generation optoelectronic devices
The aim of this collaborative project is the comprehensive understanding of the coupling between the steady-state low- and pulsed high-intensity ionizing radiation treatment with the materials science and device physics of novel optoelectronic devices to pursue a new generation of high performance and radiation-resistant solar cells, photodiodes, and MKIDs. The work will be conducted in the scope of the following interconnected sub-programs:
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>Understanding materials science and device physics of the low-intensity ionizing radiation damage of organic and perovskite solar cells and photodiodes. Lead: Prof. Brus, Prof. Zholdybaev, Prof. Ng
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>Tailoring materials properties of functional optoelectronic layers by nanosecond high-intensity pulses of proton and electron fluxes. Lead: Prof. Tikhnov, Dr. Kaikanov, Dr. Kemelbay
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>Materials science and device engineering of next-generation MKIDs. Lead: Prof. Smoot (Nobel Laureate in Physics), Dr. Grossan
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This program will facilitate long-term, multifaceted, interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research collaboration at the interface between semiconductor materials science and device physics, nanofabrication and device engineering, accelerator physics, observation astrophysics and optical instrumentation. NU will be established and promoted as the crystallization center of the diverse network fabric comprising leading Kazakh institutions KazNU and the Institute of Nuclear Physics, as well as the internationally renowned UC Berkeley (USA).
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Unraveling Photoelectric Processes and Efficiency Limitations in Novel Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells
Today's global challenges inevitably ask for sustainable energy approaches, intelligent food production, and water management solutions for next-generation grid-independent systems. The role of sustainable and smart living and working environments is receiving increasing priority in this framework. The familiar concept of energy efficiency has already been extended to the “zero-energy concept”. Self-powered, carbon-neutral buildings and greenhouses, actively emerge shaping our energy-efficient future. To meet the rising energy efficiency and multifunctionality requirements, new solutions for electric power generation are vital to enhance the performance, safety, and comfort of sustainable grid-independent systems. An emerging field of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) addresses the issues, promising high performance and unprecedented tunability of the wavelength selective transparency.
This program aims to gain insight into the photoelectronic processes in ultra-narrow bandgap organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells to simultaneously boost their PCE and wavelength selective transparency closer to the theoretical limits. Emphasis will be on drawing connections between materials science and processing, interfacial engineering, and device physics of novel semitransparent organic photovoltaic devices.
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