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III-Nitride Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications

Robert M. Farrell

Abstract

Our current pattern of producing and consuming energy is not sustainable. Fossil fuels are a finite resource, energy supplies lack security, and our energy infrastructure is causing long-term damage to the environment. In this talk, I will discuss how III nitride materials can be used to create nanostructured solar cells for concentrated photovoltaic applications, power electronic devices for efficient energy conversion, and green nanowire light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for phosphor-free solid state lighting systems. These topics will be presented in the context of my prior research on III nitride LEDs, laser diodes, and solar cells.

Biography

Dr. Robert M. Farrell received his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2003 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2005 and 2010, respectively. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Materials Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara and is responsible for supervising the research of a large group of students working on III nitride light-emitting diodes, lasers, and solar cells. Dr. Farrell’s doctoral work involved demonstrating the first nonpolar III nitride laser diodes, which helped trigger the formation of start-up company Soraa, Inc. For this work he also received the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Outstanding Paper Award from the Japan Society of Applied Physics. He has also been the recipient of a 2012 Article Highlights Award from the Semiconductor Science and Technology, a 2013 Spotlights Article Award from Applied Physics Express, and a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Dr. Farrell has authored or coauthored 41 peer-reviewed journal publications, has 23 patents and patents pending, and is a member of the IEEE, MRS, and OSA.

Robert M. Farrell Headshot
Robert M. Farrell
UC Santa Barbara
EEB 105
31 Mar 2015, 10:30am until 11:30am