CAREER: Metamorphic Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors: Materials Fundamentals for High-Efficiency Photovoltaics

技术：该项目旨在解决宽禁带(Eg=2.2-2.3 eV)变质InGaP中外延晶体生长条件、微结构和性能之间的基本关系，以制造高效率的多结太阳能电池。该方法包括外延生长研究、结构表征、光/电/界面性质的确定、太阳能电池的制造以及材料性质对太阳能电池性能的影响建模。非技术性：这个项目解决了材料科学的一个具有高度技术相关性的主题领域的基础研究问题。如果成功，该项目可能会实现60%的多结太阳能电池效率，改变陆地使用光伏发电的经济性，并减少温室气体排放。教育部分包括在本科生、研究生和K-12年级创造新的跨学科学习机会，目的是增加未被充分代表的群体在科学和工程领域的参与。长期教育目标是：通过向女性和代表不足的少数群体提供跨学科培训和指导，增加未来材料科学家和电气工程师的多样性，并将当代一代对能源问题的热情建立在坚实的、以物理学为基础的基础上。PI在耶鲁大学招募了一个不同的研究小组，并开设了一门新课程--光伏能源。本课程通过实施一套新颖的家庭作业问题和创建密集的实验室组件来加强本课程，在该组件中，学生学习制造、测试和设计太阳能电池。此外，PI还提出了一项新的K-12教师指导计划，重点是一年一度的纽黑文科学博览会。

Technical: This project addresses fundamental relationships between epitaxial crystal growth conditions, microstructure, and properties in wide-bandgap (Eg =2.2 to 2.3eV) metamorphic InGaP, to create high-efficiency, multi-junction solar cells. The approach involves epitaxial growth studies, structural characterization, optical/electrical/interfacial properties determination, solar cell fabrication, and modeling the impact of materials properties on solar cell performance. Non-technical: This project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science with high technological relevance. If successful, this project could lead to the realization of 60% efficient multijunction solar cells, transforming the economics of photovoltaic electricity for terrestrial use and leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The educational component includes creation of new interdisciplinary learning opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, and K-12 levels, and aims for increasing the participation of under-represented groups in science and engineering. Long term educational goals are: to increase the diversity of tomorrow's materials scientists and electrical engineers by providing interdisciplinary training and mentoring to both women and under-represented minorities, and to place the current generation's passion for energy issues onto a firm, physics-based foundation. The PI has recruited a diverse research group at Yale and created a new course, 'Photovoltaic Energy.' The course is enhanced through the implementation of a novel set of homework problems and the creation of an intensive laboratory component where students learn to fabricate, test, and design solar cells. In addition, the PI proposes a new K-12 teacher mentoring program focused around the annual New Haven science fair.