Research Opportunities

The School is internationally recognised for its research activities. UNSW academics in the photovoltaic field have been consistently ranked through international peer review among the leaders worldwide. For over two decades , this team has held the world record for silicon solar cell efficiencies and has been responsible for developing the most successful commercialised new photovoltaic technology internationally. Research students are involved across all the School’s research groups and play an important role in the School’s activities.

Research and Project Areas

  • Crystalline silicon solar cells – design and processing techniques
  • Electrical energy storage
  • GaAs and SiGe devices
  • Light trapping in thin crystalline silicon
  • Novel semiconductor devices
  • Photovoltaic applications in developing countries
  • Photovoltaic device fabrication and characterisation
  • Photovoltaic device physics, modelling, design and characterisation
  • Photovoltaic module design
  • Photovoltaic solar energy conversion
  • Quantum well and advanced solar cell structures
  • Quantum well, wire and dot structures
  • Semiconductor device modeling
  • Semiconductor device physics
  • Commercially oriented silicon solar cellsdevice design, processing and characterisation
  • Thin film crystalline silicon photovoltaic devices.

Meet Our Staff

ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence

Facilities & Infrastructure

Annual Report of the ARC Centre of Excellence

Masters of Engineering by Research (2655)

The Master of Engineering by Research is a two-year program where students are required to submit a thesis which embodies the result of an original investigation, or design, or engineering development. Visit UNSW Online Handbook for award rules.

Doctor of Philosophy (1655)

This is a three-year research program awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantially original contribution to the area concerned. The degree is becoming a prerequisite for appointments in government, industrial research and development laboratories and higher education. Find out more at the UNSW Online Handbook.