Prof. Dr. Bryce
S. Richards
Position:
W3 Professor of Nanophotonics for Energy
Role in Solar TAP:
Principal Investigator
Research Institution:
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Introduction
Prof. Dr. Bryce S. Richards research interest lies at the interface between the natural sciences (physics & chemistry) and engineering with the goal of developing solar energy solutions relevant to solving today’s energy challenges. Originally from New Zealand, he has conducted research on a wide range of photovoltaic technologies in Australia, Scotland, Tanzania and (for the last 10 years) Germany. He and his team at KIT are both transdisciplinary – chemists, materials scientists, physicists, along with electrical & mechanical engineers – and very international. Prof. Richards is also very passionate about bringing solar energy solutions to Africa.
Solar TAP Project
When we think of optics and photonics applied to solar energy harvesting devices, this typically involves seeking to enhance the absorption of sunlight, perhaps even selecting out separate wavelength regions to maximise overall performance. Within Solar TAP, spectral conversion – the application of luminescent materials to absorb sunlight of one wavelength and emit this at another wavelength – is being employed to benefit two solar technologies:
- down-conversion materials where we seek to emit two near-infrared photons for each absorbed UV photon, potentially both enhancing the efficiency as well as the photostability of solar cells; and
- the use of luminescent down shifting layers in a greenhouse to optimize the solar spectrum for plant growth (more blue & red, less green light) and harvesting “waste” photons via photovoltaics.
Contact Information
Email: bryce.richards(at)kit.edu
Phone Number: +49-721-608-26562
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-richards-0950b38/