Research

We are challenging to utilize new semiconductor materials to create solar cells that are highly efficient, thin, rare-element-free, and low-cost.
- Barium silicide (BaSi2) with ideal optical properties
- Solution processable halides, including hybrid perovskites and bismuth iodide (BiI3)
- Tin sulfide (SnS), which is highly stable and low cost

We aim to realize high-efficiency solar cells by:
- designing ideal devices through device simulations and virtual screening including first-principles calculations
- developing thin-film processes.

This area of research focuses on the challenges associated with solution-processed oxide thin film transistors (TFT) by using the technique called Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS). SCS is a relatively new technique that uses the heat released by combustion to help the formation of more M-O-M networks on the film. In addition, the trigger temperature needed to start the combustion is significantly lower than most sol-gel methods. We are mainly focused on enhancing the quality of sustainable metal oxides, such as tin oxide as a semiconductor, and aluminum oxide and hafnium oxide as high-permittivity gate insulators for TFTs. 

The understanding of the structure-property relationship of semiconductor thin films is essential to improve the performance of semiconductor devices. Our research seeks to deepen the fundamental understanding of semiconductor thin films by analyzing those synthesized using our original scalable or low-temperature techniques.

Group-IV 2D nanosheets are a class of layered semiconductors having attractive properties such as high theoretical carrier mobility and large band gaps. To pioneer the applications to high performance semiconductor devices, we are studying thin film synthesis techniques and physical properties.