With the growing desire to find efficient alternative energy both nationally and globally, UT and Bowling Green State University are collaborating to research solar power possibilities.
The two universities will use the funds to attract prominent new faculty, said Robert Collins, a professor in the department of physics and astronomy at UT.
UT's research team, composed of about a dozen faculty members, is based in the physics and astronomy department, but it includes faculty from the chemistry department and the College of Engineering.
The team at BGSU, based within the Center for Photochemical Sciences, also includes faculty from different departments, Collins said.
"These faculty members will be world experts in photovoltaics," he said.
One area of focus for the researchers will be on photonics, a sub-area of photovoltaics, which essentially explores the atomic scale to see how the energy is absorbed from sunlight and converted into electricity on a molecular level, Collins explained.
"The goal is to improve the efficiency of solar cells based on this understanding," he said.
The state approved the funds for the research grant last month, and the contract between the ODD and UT and the subcontract to BGSU are being finalized. Advertisement for the research positions will begin when the contracts are in place.
"We're trying to attract intellectual talent to [the] northwest part of Ohio and hopefully retain those individuals in the region," said Felix Castellano, a professor in the chemistry department at BGSU.
Charmaine Cassabon, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, said she understands the important economic impact the research will have.
"By making this region one of the forerunners for this technology, it will bring talented professionals and economic stimulus to the area," Cassabon said.
Castellano is negotiating, along with BGSU researcher Pavel Anzenbacher, to have their university hire two additional researchers with their $1.7 million part of the grant.
"We have had a very successful recent history of working productively together," Castellano said. "What makes the interactions work is that we are all experts in different areas but possess common goals of really seeking new ways of generating electricity from sunlight."
"The grant will help solidify [UT's] position as one of the top academic institutions in the world for research, development and the demonstration of thin film photovoltaic materials and devices," Collins said.
This grant was received shortly after an $18.6 million grant from ODD in January 2007, Collins said, which went toward the establishment of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, located on the corner of Dorr Street and Westwood Avenue. PVIC, led by UT, also includes faculty members from The Ohio State University and BGSU.
The new grant will enhance faculty members' involvement in PVIC.
"[The state is] happy on the progress in PVIC and now wants to give additional funds to bring in new faculty members," Collins said. "The new grant recognizes successes in the implementation of PVIC in bringing together university and industrial researchers to overcome the barriers that industry faces in the commercialization of low-cost thin film photovoltaic modules."
He said $2.5 million from the grant will go to the UT Foundation to fund an endowed chair professor from out of state and will contribute to the photovoltaic efforts at UT.
Another $4 million will go toward equipment and facilities, he said.
This is a regional effort to bring in new faculty members and ultimately contribute to northwest Ohio's economic development, Collins said.
Rachel Grey, a junior majoring in biology and chemistry, said she feels that photovoltaics are on the right path to a cleaner future.
"The more efficient and clean our society is, the longer we will be able to sustain ourselves on this planet," she said.
Collins said the overall UT and BGSU effort is important for many reasons - not only to promote local and state economic development in green technologies or achieving energy security for the nation, but on a global stage as well.
Vice President for Research Development Frank Calzonetti, PVIC Endowed Chair Michael Heben and Sylvain Marsillac, associate professor in physics, were the key players to the project, Collins said.
"These people are part of the team that defended our proposal at the Ohio Department of Development and really helped with the success of landing the grant," Collins said.
He said this will be a three-year project, but the attracted faculty, equipment and facilities established will have a lasting impact on UT's academic and research programs.
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