"Make our Planet great again": New Research Group at the HZB institute of Silicon Photovoltaics

The physicist Dr. Yutsung Tsai is setting up his own research group on  at the Institute of Silicon Photovoltaics at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. His goal is to develop two-dimensional transparent solar cells. Tsai receives research funding from the Franco-German programme "Make Our Planet Great Again – German Research Initiative“ (MOPGA-GRI), which is funded by the German Ministry or Education and Research. 

Following the Paris Climate Agreement, the German and French governments launched the "Make our Planet great again - German Research Initiative" (MOPGA-GRI) funding programme to promote research that develops solutions to slow climate change. Young researchers from all over the world were invited to submit proposals, and a jury of experts from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) selected 13 project leaders from around 300 applications received. Over the next four years, the MOPGA-GRI Fellows will be able to set up their own research group at a centre of their choice.

Call for new projects in Energy Transition

In the field of "Energy Transition", Yutsung Tsai has established himself with a research topic on two-dimensional, transparent solar cells based on a new class of materials.

“I answered that call immediately” Tsai recalls. He had many years of experience in semiconductor physics, optics and two dimensional materials – why not combine these experiences to develop a new class of transparent PV materials, which could be installed anywhere on a building?  He then did an extensive web search in order to identify a scientific host for his research plans. Under the keywords “green energy” and “PV research” he discovered HZB among the top productive research institutes and contacted Professor Norbert Nickel who agreed to host him.

Goal: 2D transparent PV materials

Tsai will build up his research group in the Institute Silicon Photovoltaics on the Wilhelm-Conrad-Röntgen-Campus in Adlershof. Tsai, who is called "Rem" by colleagues and friends, comes from Taiwan originally.  He has obtained his PhD at State University of New York at Buffalo, USA and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.

Funding:

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the "Make our Planet Great Again – German Research Initiative", implemented by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).