FM&D Laboratory has interests in the development of emerging semiconductors for energy and healthcare applications, along with understanding the thin-film growth processes during vapor deposition of these novel materials. The research lies at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This research is conducted at the
National Thin Film Cluster Facility for Advanced Functional Materials, which is hosted by the University of Oxford, London Centre of Nanotechnology, and King’s College London. The labs work extends to the development of emerging semiconductors for energy applications, along with a keen interest in understanding the thin-film growth processes during vapor deposition of these novel materials. FM&D Laboratory's research lies at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Photovoltaics
Multi-Junction PhotovoltaicsMulti-junction PVs can surpass the single-junction detailed balance limit of power conversion efficiency (PCE) by incorporating multiple absorbers which respond to different parts of the solar spectrum,
thus minimising losses associated with high energy photon relaxation. Triple-junction solar cells provide the opportunity of achieving up to 52% PCE, which would enable PV technology to be the dominant energy harvesting technology anywhere in the world.
Hybrid perovskites semiconductors provide an opportunity to create highly efficient low-cost, lightweight, PVs that have a high power-to-weight ratio. As aforementioned, PVD is the technique that enables the creation of a multilayer heterostructure that contains hybrid perovskites semiconductors, small-molecule organic and metal oxide semiconductors. However, to develop such an intricate architecture that can reach close to the theoretical limit (PCE=52%) not only do the materials and their
interfaces need to have minimal defects but light absorption and electronic behaviour of the devices need to be carefully considered. The aim of this research area is to pioneer a 40% PCE triple-junction perovskite solar cell with a high power-to-weight ratio.
Active GrantsUKRI-EPSRC EP/W007975/1- All-Evaporated Triple-Junction Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices
AgrivoltaicsWith the increasing demand for local and international produce, there is a growing need to improve crop efficiency and yield. One innovative solution is the use of agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural practices with photovoltaic (PV) technology to meet both energy and food demands.
This technology seeks to optimize power generation from the sun while also allowing crops to absorb the optimal amount of light. By enabling the production of both power and crops on the same land, this technology has the potential to address two critical challenges: reducing carbon emissions and increasing food security. Additionally, it could help reduce the carbon footprint associated with importing produce from other continents or producing crops in energy-intensive greenhouses.
Active GrantsKing’s Climate and Sustainability Seed Fund- Nanostructured Transparent Electrodes for Semi-Transparent Solar Cells
Detectors
x/γ-ray Direct-Type DetectorsIn an x/γ-ray detector, it is key that the radiation absorbing semiconductor encompasses high atomic-number elements to
absorb a wide range of x/γ-ray photon energies. Metal halide perovskite semiconductors are ideal
materials for x/γ-ray detectors as their chemical compositions consist of many heavy elements. The large density of heavy
atoms in perovskites can extend the absorption range of the current state-of-the-art detectors to simultaneously detect
both x- rays and γ-rays. Perovskites can be developed using low-cost techniques and be made on lightweight flexible
materials, allowing for cheap portable detectors.
Dr Patel received his MChem degree from the University of Warwick in 2014 and completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford in 2019 under the supervision of Professor Laura Herz.
Following that, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute, a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Colorado Boulder, from 2019 to 2022. From 2022 to 2023,
he held positions as a David Clarke EPSRC Fellow and Fulford Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. In 2023, he joined King's College London as a lecturer in Functional Photonics.Google Scholar
UK National Thin Film Cluster Facility for Advanced Materials, University of OxfordThis national facility provides state-of-the-art
vacuum deposition equipment to enable the development of next generation advanced functional materials.
The bespoke cluster tool comprises several interconnected vacuum chambers – rather than existing isolated deposition chambers – allowing for the creation of multilayer structures using a range of
different processes and combining materials that cannot done in the same vacuum chamber. The National Thin-Film Cluster Facility for Advanced Functional Materials (NTCF) is key to the UK’s
R&D capabilities in the development of next-generation materials and devices for application in energy, photonics and electronics.
Find more information here
London Centre for NanotechnologyThe LCN occupies a purpose-built eight storey facility in Gordon Street, Bloomsbury (opened in 2006) as well as extensive facilities within different departments at
South Kensington and The Strand. The Centre's experimental research is supported by leading edge modelling, visualisation and theory through its access to state-of-the-art
clean-room, characterisation, fabrication, manipulation and design laboratories.
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Funded oppurtunity:Fully funded PhD Studentship for 2024 (UK and International students)This project will focus on developing perovskite semiconductors for perovskite-based triple-junction solar cells. It is an experimental project and will predominantly take place in a laboratory setting and will require students to collaborate with scientists and engineers from within King's College and international partners. The student will develop perovskite semiconductors and solar cells using vapour deposition at the National Thin-Film Cluster Facility at the University of Oxford. Characterization of the perovskite films and solar cells will be conducted at the Department of Physics at King's College London.
The student will work within the Functional Materials and Devices Laboratory, which is headed by Dr. Jay Patel. They will have access to world-class equipment at King's College London, the London Centre of Nanotechnology, and the National Thin-Film Facility at the University of Oxford. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in national and international conferences.
For further information about the project, please email:jay.patel@kcl.ac.uk
As a team, we work hard to maintain a relaxed, collaborative and supportive environment. We are always on the lookout for dynamic and creative individuals to join the team. The team works best when we have a good gender balance, and we are 100% LGBTQ+ friendly.
Please contact me if you are interested in joining the team either as a masters or a PhD student, post-doc or a visiting academic.
