What Faculty do you work in?
FSE
What is your main area of research?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy materials and applications of next generation PV.
Why is your research important?
My research is critical because it addresses the global challenge of transitioning to sustainable energy sources. By improving solar photovoltaic technologies, the research aims to make renewable energy more efficient, affordable, and widely accessible, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
What SDG is your research most closely aligned with?
My research is most closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
I aim to develop innovative materials and technologies that significantly enhance the performance and application of solar PV technologies. This will contribute to a cleaner energy future and support global efforts to combat climate change.
Is there a cross-disciplinary element to your research? If so, who else at the University is involved?
Yes, I am Co-PI on project GENERATION. It involves collaboration across departments at SU. Specifically, with colleagues in the department of Computer Science, such as Prof. Matt Jones and Dr Deepak Sahoo, and with Prof. Martin Hyde (formerly of FHSS, now at Leicester). Our research combines expertise in materials science, human-computer interaction (HCI), gerontology, and electronic engineering to develop self-powered IoT devices that are both sustainable and user-friendly for older adults. This multidisciplinary approach is essential to address the complex challenges of integrating sustainable technologies into everyday life, particularly for marginalized groups.
Are there any external collaborators involved?
Yes, for GENERATION, we collaborate with Prof. Marina Freitag of Newcastle University. She is an expert on materials for energy harvesting photovoltaics. In other UKRI funded projects we regularly collaborate with colleagues at Imperial College, University of Oxford, QMUL and others.