Jeremy is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering working in Prof. Tonio Buonassisi’s group, the Photovoltaics Research Laboratory. His passion for understanding how atomic-scale processes influence solar cell behavior began while obtaining his B.S. studying mechanical engineering and materials science at Yale University and continued as he fabricated silicon microwire solar cells as a Research Engineer at start-up solar company Caelux Corp.
In his Ph.D. research, Jeremy is working toward assessing the viability of various scalable and low-cost thin-film photovoltaic materials by measuring their photoluminescence, a signal of the electronic properties that enable high power conversion efficiencies. By combining film synthesis, characterization, and modeling, he hopes to better elucidate the connection between nanoscale defects and solar cell efficiencies. The Martin Family Fellowship allows him to pursue focused studies on novel materials systems to investigate the effects of impurity contamination and local microstructure.
To help bolster broader sustainability efforts at MIT, Jeremy is also involved in advocacy for installing solar arrays on campus as well as student activism through Fossil Free MIT. He hopes that his research alongside these activities will help to lower both the technological and sociopolitical barriers to addressing climate change.