Curriculum Vitae - Paul Braun Research Group - University of Illinois ...

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
• Postdoctoral researcher at the Beckman Institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, Department of Materials Science and Engeneering, Prof. Paul V. Braun Research
Group. Project: “New Optical Architectures to Enhance Light Harvesting Efficiency in Solar
Cells”. Description: Develop photonic architectures that can be easily implemented in current
solar devices providing enhanced light trapping in the cell at low cost. 2008- present .
• Graduate Student at the Institute of Materials Science of Seville. Prof. H. Miguez’s Group.
Project: “Preparation, Characterization and Modelization of Photonic Colloidal Crystals for Solar
Cell Applications”. Description: Investigation of the fundaments of the enhancement in
efficiency observed in solar cells coupled to photonic crystals. 2002-2004.
• Undergraduate research at the Johannes Gutemberg-Universität. Mainz (Germany). Project:
“Assembly of a Ultra High Vacuum Chamber for Superconductor Material Fabrication”. 2002.
IMPACT OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH
My research has clarified the optimum use of photonic bandgap materials within dye
sensitized solar cells, and addressed some of the difficulties with integrating these periodic
architectures within actual solar cell devices. I conducted detailed theoretical analysis of recent
experimental findings on the application of photonic crystals integrated into DSSCs existing in the
literature that remained unclear. A full description of the phenomena involved was given and
optimum and new configurations were proposed (Mihi, A. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 15968, Times
cited: 50 according to WOK). After this, a new colloidal crystallization technique was developed in
order to implement the colloidal crystals in the optimum position within the DSSC (Mihi, A.
Adv.Matter. 2006, 18, 2244, Times cited: 54 WOK). Such development allowed me to implement
photonic colloidal crystals within solar cells in various configurations using the new crystallization
technique (Mihi, A. J. Phys. Chem. C 2008, 112, 13. Times cited: 23WOK), allowing me to confirm
experimentally the theoretical concepts proposed. Currently, I am working on a technique that
allows the implementation of photonic crystals with Full Photonic bandgaps, for the first time, in
different optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices (Mihi, A. In preparation). Also, I am part of the
SCALES project (Scalable Construction by Assembly for Large, Extended Systems) directed by Prof.
John A. Rogers, Prof. P.V. Braun and H.T. Johnson from the University of Illinois, where a
manufacturing capability for tiled photonic structures inspired by the scales found in butterfly
wings is being developed. A photonic structure made of tiled scales, each consisting of photonic or
plasmonic crystal structures, will enable high-performance functionality for many DoD and
commercial applications.
VISIBILITY
- Organizer of the 2010 Beckman Institute Graduate Student Seminar Series.
- Active participation in the organization of the “3D Fabrication Approaches for Enhancing Light
Material Interactions” workshop, held at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of
Materials Science and Engineering. March 24-25, 2010.
- Participant of the EFRC “Light Matter Interactions in Solar Energy Conversion” Directed by Prof.
Harry Atwater from Caltech.
- Member of the editorial board of the EFRC newsletter (2011).