Supergen Solar Hub Calls For Perovskite Research Proposals
The EPSRC SUPERGEN SuperSolar Hub was provided with flexible funding to enable the Hub to respond quickly to a new challenge or opportunity that it identifies during its lifetime. This call for proposals for research on perovskite photovoltaics is available only to research teams who are not SuperSolar Hub core members. Eligibility extends to teams who may be in Universities within the Hub but who are not PI's or Co-I's in the Hub.
Recent work at Oxford University led by Prof Henry Snaith has discovered that organometal halide perovskite absorbers are capable of high conversion efficiencies. In only 2 years, the Oxford group has created photovoltaic devices with champion efficiencies >16%. This is astonishing progress and several patent applications have been filed to protect the original ideas. However, the international scientific community is now well aware of the breakthrough and competition is mobilising fast.
These perovskite materials are capable of solution processing and application to flexible substrates including polymers. This makes these materials suitable for roll-to-roll manufacturing and deposition using low-cost printing techniques. These materials may also be applied to glass. Power-producing semi-transparent windows for building integrated PV is another exciting application. Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd has been established to exploit the applications for the new perovskite technology and provides a direct route to commercialisation.
It is important that the UK recognises this opportunity and it is proposed that the SuperSolar Hub uses its flexible funding to mobilise resources and expertise to assist this development. It is intended that the flexible funding will be used to complement the work at Oxford University rather than compete with it. Applicants will have research expertise that can help the UK, to maintain its lead in this technology. A UK team effort is required. £450,000 is available for this call for research proposals.
Research teams are invited to prepare one proposal for funding of up to £150,000 (FEC, with EPSRC funding at 80% of this). This is sufficient for a at least a one year PDRA project with consumables, travel costs, investigator time, but the way the funding is used (including timing) by universities is flexible but must be justifiable (within existing EPSRC guidelines).
The submitted proposals should be a maximum of three (3) pages. Given such limited space, it is expected that the bulk of the proposal will focus on the core science and technology ideas.
However, each of the following sections is required:
"¢ Description of the proposed research.
"¢ The science and technology that will be advanced as part of the proposed research programme.
"¢ A brief work plan
"¢ A justification of resources
In addition to the three-page proposal, a short (no longer than 1/2 page) summary of the relevant expertise and/or facilities of the research team must also be submitted.
The deadline for proposals is 12 noon on Friday 6th June 2014. Proposals should be sent electronically to [email protected].
