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Power is critical for space missionsÌýand Internet Of ThingsÌý(IoT)Ìýnetworks.ÌýJoin the teamÌýinvestigatingÌýphotovoltaic andÌýbetavoltaicÌýdevicesÌýfor their huge potential in powering off-Earth energy systems.

Research goals

We are investigatingÌýphotovoltaic andÌýbetavoltaicÌýdevicesÌýfor their huge potential in powering off-Earth energy systems.

ChallENG Area

Vertically Integrated Projects

Research Areas
  • Photovoltaics
  • Betavoltaics
  • Space Science
  • Power Systems
  • Photovoltaics
  • Data science
  • Internet of Things
  • Laser physics
  • Radio-isotopes

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  • Good Health and Well-being:Ìý
  • Affordable and Clean Energy:Ìý
  • Decent Work and Economic Growth:Ìý
  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure:Ìý
  • Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesÌý
  • Life on Land:Ìý

The research includes:

  • Developing photovoltaicsÌý(PV),ÌýbetavoltaicsÌý(BV) and laser beaming systems for space applicationsÌý
  • DesigningÌýflexibleÌýPVÌýandÌýBVÌýenergy harvesting devices and integrated IoT solutions
  • EnhancingÌýPVÌýefficiency and stability in spaceÌý
  • ImprovingÌýBVÌýdevice efficiencyÌýthroughÌýnew semiconductor materials that have greaterÌýenergyÌýconversion and increased radiation resistanceÌý
  • Designing theÌý‘solar (power) ring’ device to power IoT networks
  • DesigningÌýand fabricating PV and BVÌýdevices for IoT applications
  • DesigningÌýand fabricatingÌýintegrated power ring prototypes
  • ResearchingÌýradiation tolerance of PV devices
  • Investigating the performance of several types of solar cells under low light intensities, different spectra and a wide range of temperatures
Ìý
  • Investigating new materials andÌýtheir efficienciesÌý
  • FabricatingÌýsolar cells in lunar-like environmentsÌý
  • ImprovingÌýthe operation, transfer efficiency and pointing accuracy of laser power beaming
  • ImprovingÌýwelding of space solar cell interconnects
  • Integrating different power systems for space missions to the Moon and for LEOÌýCubeSatsÌý
  • DevelopingÌýpower systems for IoT devices
  • DevelopingÌýdatabase and data analysis capabilities for completed IoT solutions
  • AddressingÌýthe EQEÌý(external quantum efficiency)Ìýartefacts inÌýmultijunction solar cells
  • Undertaking vacuum deposition of solar cell materials under conditions similar to those on the MoonÌý
  • Combining antennas and solar cells for dual use on satellites

Credit

✔ 6 UoC per course

Industry Partners


  • Photovoltaics engineeringÌý
  • Nuclear engineeringÌý
  • Mechanical engineeringÌý
  • Electrical engineeringÌý
  • Electrical circuit designÌý
  • Wireless sensor networksÌý
  • Bio-engineeringÌý
  • Physics

Team Academic Lead

Prof. Gavin Conibeer

School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering

+612 9385 4381

g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

A/Prof. Xiaojing Hao

School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering

+612 9385 4381

xj.hao@unsw.edu.au

A/Prof. Ziv Hameiri

School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering

+612 9385 9475

g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

A/Prof. N.J. Ekins-Daukes

School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering

+612 9385 7283

xj.hao@unsw.edu.au

A/Prof. Jay Katupitiya

School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

j.katupitiya@unsw.edu.au