News
Dr. Brandt's last day in the Electronics lab (Dec. 2023)
Electrical Engineering and Physics students and faculty members left heartfelt messages on the board to commemorate Dr. Brandt's retirement. The board, accompanied by these messages, was presented to him immediately after his very last class in his entire professional career. Both the students in that class and I were thrilled to partake in that moment with him. The central mosaic showcases an electrical resistor valued at 13,200, with a margin of plus or minus 1%. This number (about 13,200 days) symbolizes the total number of days he has served from Fall 1987 to Fall 2023. It's regrettable that he will no longer be in that classroom. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and to have shared such wonderful moments together. My thanks go out to all the students and faculty who participated in the celebration, with a special acknowledgment to Zion for crafting the resistor mosaic pattern.
A new research paper published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (Jun. 2023)
Dr. Ha, Luis, and Aries published a research paper on nanoscale measurements of solar cells in the Journal of Physical Chemistry. In this work, we show the use of nanoscale imaging techniques to investigate nanoscale carrier dynamics of polycrystalline photovoltaics. A nanoscale electric power map, based on nanoscale photocurrent and photovoltage images obtained from the same location of a sample, is created to provide information about nanoscale electric power patterns. This work builds on Dr. Ha lab’s multidisciplinary expertise in renewable solar energy harvesting, semiconductor/optical/materials physics, nanoscale measurement techniques, electronic/optoelectronic devices, and electrical engineering.
Luis Torres Cantu selected as recipient of the SURE Award (Apr. 2023)
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences announced Luis Torres Cantu as the 2023 recipient of the SURE (Scholars in Undergraduate Research at Eastern) Award. The award, presented on April 10, honors individuals to recognize and celebrate their distinguished record of research. Congratulations, Luis!
Our students rock their conference presentations at the American Physical Society Meeting in Las Vegas (Mar. 2023)
Three students in Dr. Ha's lab had their work presented at the 2023 American Physical Society (APS) Meeting, March 5–10, in Las Vegas. The APS Annual Meeting is the premier global event in physics and engineering, providing a forum to share scientific findings and ideas. They wowed the crowd, and we are so proud of them for all their achievements. Great job!
Further information about their presentations:
Aries presented his research, titled "Developing dielectric-metal hybrid nanomaterials for solar cells".
Luis presented his research, titled "Nanoscale imaging of solar cells using Kelvin probe force microscopy". Aries and David were co-authors for this prsentation.
David presented his research, titled "Solar cell photoresponse enhancement with perovskite quantum dots and plasmonic particles". Aries and Luis were co-authors for this prsentation.
Eastern Daily News features Dr. Ha's lab (Jan. 2023)
Luis Torres Cantu's research work on nanoscale solar cell characterization is featured in the Eastern Daily News.
Three students presented their cutting-edge research to peers (Dec. 2022)
Aries, David, and Luis presented their research projects in the Department of Physics. We are very proud that their efforts continue to get recognized. Glad to say that all of our students did an amazing job!
Luis won the 2023 URSCA Award (Dec. 2022)
His work on nanoscale characterization of solar cells using an atomic force microscope won the 2023 Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (URSCA) Awards. Great job!
Dr. Ha receives the Lida G. Wall Faculty Research Mentor Award (Apr. 2022)
Dr. Ha was selected to receive the Lida G. Wall Faculty Research Mentor Award, an annual honor bestowed on a tenured/tenure-track faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who has served as a research mentor. More information can be found here.
Dr. Ha's group was well represented at the APS March Meeting in Chicago (Mar. 2022)
Michaela McBride gave an oral presentation entitled "Engineering thermochromic properties with plasmonics".
Mon. March 14, 2022, 9:24 a.m. – 9:36 a.m. CDT
Room: McCormick Place W-470B
More information can be found here.
Emily Wilcox gave an oral presentation entitled "Wide field super resolution microscopy for electronics".
Mon. March 14, 2022, 12:30 p.m. – 12:42 p.m. CDT
Room: McCormick Place W-470A
More information can be found here.
Dontae Milner gave a poster presentation entitled "Cost-effective solar cells with earth abundant transparent materials".
Tue. March 15, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
Room: McCormick Place Exhibit Hall F1
More information can be found here.
Students' abstracts were selected presentations at the 2022 APS March Meeting (Jan. 2022)
Congratulations to Michaela, Dontae, and Emily who were selected to present their work at the 2022 American Physical Society (APS) March Meeeting in Chicago, IL. The APS annual meeting is attended by > 12,000 of physicists, scientists, and engineers from around the world, and is considered to be one of the most prestigious professional-level conferences in Physics and Engineering. More information about the 2022 APS March Meeting can be found here.
Aries receives the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Awards (Dec. 2021)
Congratulations to Aries who was selected to receive the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (URSCA) Awards from the Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College. His work on photon management and high-efficiency solar cells will be supported by this award. More information about the award can be found here.
Dr. Ha's oral presentation at 2020 APS March Meeting (Denver, CO) has been canceled due to the COVID19 (Feb. 29, 2020)
Dr. Ha's oral presentation entitled, "Engineering thermochromic properties with plasmonics, quantum dots, and 2D materials," has been canceled due to rapidly escalating health concerns relating to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The presentation was scheduled on Mar. 3, 2020 in the Session F62: Nanostructures and Metamaterials IV. More information can be found here.
Collaborative work on nanoscale characterization of polycrystalline solar cells published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (Nov. 20, 2019)
Dr. Ha, in collaboration with the University of Maryland, the University of Utah, and the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, recently published a paper in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces revealing nanoscale charge carrier recombinations in polycrystalline solar cells.
Dr. Ha judged posters for SHIP program at NIST (Aug. 7, 2019)
Dr. Ha worked as a judge for the Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) Poster Competition at NIST. SHIP is a NIST-wide summer intern program for students who will have finished their junior or senior year of high school by the start of the program and are interested in scientific research. Thanks Cindi for the invitation.
Dr. Ha chaired a session at 46th IEEE PVSC (June 17, 2019)
Dr. Ha is the Chair of the Area 1: Spectral Selectivity at the 46th IEEE PVSC meeting in Chicago.
Dr. Ha gave an oral presentation at IEEE Photonics Society Conference (Oct. 3, 2018)
Dr. Ha gave an oral presentation entitled, "Advanced light management in photovoltaics using dielectric nano-resonator arrays," in the IEEE Photonics Society Conference, Reston, VA.
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations at SPIE Optics and Photonics (Aug. 21 and 23, 2018)
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations at the 2018 SPIE Optics and Photonics Conference, San Diego, CA. The first presentation, entitled "Improving dielectric nano-resonator-based antireflection coatings for photovoltaics," was given on Aug. 21, 2018, and the second presentation, entitled "Nanoimaging of local photocurrent in hybrid perovskite solar cells via near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy" was made on Aug. 23, 2018, respectively.
Dr. Ha's work on nanoscale light management using various dielectric nanoresonators featured on the Inside Cover of Particle and Particle Systems Characterizataion (Jul. 18, 2018)
Particle and Particle Systems Characterization (a sister journal of Advanced Materials) features Dr. Ha’s work on the Inside Front Cover. Enhanced optical coupling improving efficiency of solar cells is investigated by various macro‐/nanoscale characterization techniques, including near‐field scanning photocurrent microscopy. By optimally selecting size, material, and configuration of nanoresonators, optoelectronic properties can be improved by as much as 30%.
Dr. Ha gave an oral presentation at the 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion / the 45th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (Jun. 2018)
Dr. Ha gave an oral presentation entitled, "Nanoscale imaging of photocurrent in perovskite solar cells using near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy." This conference was held in Waikoloa, HI.
A new journal paper published on perovskite solar cells (Jun. 2018)
Dr. Ha’s work on nanoscale investigation of photocarrier generations and collections in perovskite solar cells is published in the prestigious Nano Energy.
Paper featured on the Frontispiece Cover of Advanced Electronic Materials (May, 2018)
Advanced Electronic Materials features Dr. Ha’s review paper on optoelectronic and electronic devices on the Frontispiece Cover.
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations at MRS Spring Meeting (Apr. 5 and 6, 2018)
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations entitled, "Nanoscale investigation of carrier collections and degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar cells via near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy" and "Nanoscale imaging of resonator-induced photocurrent enhancements of solar cells via near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy coatings" at MRS Spring Meeting in Phoenix, AZ.
Dr. Ha's nanoscale measurement work featured on the Cover story of the CNST News (Apr. 2018)
Psst! A Whispering Gallery For Light Boosts Solar Cells.
Dr. Ha's nanoscale photocurrent measurement work on resonator-based PVs featured on Cover of Nanotechnology (Apr. 6, 2018)
The Apr. 6 issue of Nanotechnology features Dr. Ha’s nanoscale photocurrent measurement work on resonator-based PVs on the front cover. A news story also appears on the NIST News and CNST News.
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations at APS March Meeting (Mar. 5 and 6, 2018)
Dr. Ha gave two oral presentations entitled, "Nanoscale imaging of photocurrent generation of perovskite solar cells" and "Resonant coupling of nano-resonator coatings measured by near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy" at APS March Meeting in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Ha's recent work presented at Optics and Photonics Conference (Dec. 2017)
Dr. Ha gave a poster presentation entitled, "Nanoscale characterization of photocurrent enhancements with nano-resonator arrays for photovoltaics" at Optics and Photonics Conference at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. This presentation covers his recent work on nanoscale characterization of nano-resonator arrays for photovoltaics.
ACS Publications selected an image used in Dr. Ha's recent work (Aug. 7, 2017)
ACS Publications has selected the image used in Dr. Ha's recent article for use in an upcoming marketing campaign to represent the scope of a new journal, ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Dr. Ha chaired a session at 44th IEEE PVSC (June 30, 2017)
Dr. Ha is the Chair of the Area 1: Novel Materials and Processing symposium at the 44th IEEE PVSC meeting in Washington, DC.
Dr. Ha receives PVSC best poster award nomination (June 28, 2017)
Dr. Ha gave a poster presentation (June 28, 2017) and received a best poster award nomination at the 2017 44th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) in Washington, DC. This work covers his most recent work on performance engineering of solar cells using resonant and non-resonant dielectric micro/nano structures.
Dr. Ha gives talk at MRS Spring (April 18, 2017)
Dr. Ha gives a talk entitled, "Dielectric Resonator-Based Antireflection Coatings" at MRS Spring Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. This talk covers his recent work published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
Dr. Ha's microresonator PV work featured on Cover of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (Oct. 12, 2016)
The Oct. 12 issue of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces features Dr. Ha’s work on microresonator coatings for PV on the front cover. A news story also appears on the UMD ECE website and was issued a press release. See press release 1, See press release 2, See press release 3.
Dr. Ha joins NIST (August 29, 2016)
Dr. Ha joins the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD) as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His work mainly focuses on developing new nanoscale measurement techniques to investigate optical, electrical, material, and thermal properties of optoelectronic and electronic devices.
Eric Dongheon attended the commencement of the University of Maryland (May 19, 2016)
Officially Dr. Ha.
Ph.D. hooding ceremony with doctoral advisor, Prof. Munday.
Eric Dongheon defended his PhD thesis (April 4, 2016)
Eric Dongheon successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled, "Microscale dielectric anti-reflection coatings for photovoltaics".
Eric Dongheon presented at APS March Meeting (March 16, 2016)
Eric Dongheon presented a talk entitled, "Dielectric micro-resonator arrays for optical coupling to solar cells" at APS March Meeting in Baltimore, MD.
Eric Dongheon receives MRS poster award nomination (November 30, 2015)
Eric Dongheon gave two presentations (Nov. 30, 2015 / Dec. 02, 2015) and received a poster award nomination at the 2015 Fall Materials Research Society Conference in Boston, MA.
Eric Dongheon leads a seminar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (October 16, 2015)
Eric Dongheon led an electrical engineering seminar entitled, "Improving solar cells with paper-based anti-reflection coatings" in the college of Computer System Technology at the International University for Innovation Technologies. Around 150 people attended this seminar including students, faculty members, and the president. This university is located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Eric Dongheon gives talk at SPIE DSS (April 21, 2015)
Eric Dongheon gives a talk entitled, “Paper-based broadband and wide-angle antireflection coatings for Si and GaAs solar cells” at the SPIE DSS in Baltimore, MD.
Eric Dongheon receives the Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship (April 17, 2015)
Eric Dongheon was selected to receive both the Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship. The Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship is award to only 10 students out of approximately 4,000 doctoral students pursuing studies at the University of Maryland.
A new journal paper published on new anti-reflection coatings (March 2, 2015)
Eric Dongheon’s work on paper-based anti-reflection coatings on Si solar cells is published in the IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics.
Eric Dongheon receives Goldhaber Travel Awards (January 20, 2015)
Eric Dongheon Ha receives Goldhaber Awards to present his work at the SPIE DSS meeting in Baltimore, MD.
Eric Dongheon selected as 2015 Future Faculty Programs Fellow (December 14, 2014)
Eric Dongheon was selected as a 2015 Future Faculty Programs Fellow. More information about the program can be found here.
New journal paper featured as inside Cover for Advanced Energy Materials (June 25, 2014)
Eric Dongheon’s recent work using paper-based anti-reflection coatings is published in Advanced Energy Materials and is featured on the inside cover.
Eric Dongheon's work is presented at PVSC (June 11, 2014)
Eric Dongheon's recent work on paper-based antireflection coatings is presented at the 40th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) in Denver, CO. The title of the talk is "Advanced Broadband Antireflection Coatings Based on Cellulose Micro-fiber Paper".
Eric Dongheon is named 2012-2013 International Teaching Fellow (March 9, 2013)
Eric Dongheon is named 2012-2013 International Teaching Fellow by the The Center for Teaching Excellence, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, and the Graduate School in University of Maryland.
Eric Dongheon is named Distinguished Teaching Assistant (March 9, 2013)
Eric Dongheon is named 2012-2013 Distinguished Teaching Assistant by The Center for Teaching Excellence, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, and the Graduate School in University of Maryland.