The 44th Distinguished Scientist Lecture was held at the auditorium of the Social Sciences Complex on the morning of September 17th. Prof. Michael Grätzel, the father of third generation dye-sensitized solar cells, a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces (LPI) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), delivered a keynote address titled “From Chemistry to Photovoltaics: The Central Role of Materials Innovation in Perovskite Photovoltaic Revolution”. The event was attended by Xu Wei, member of the party group and Vice President of the Hainan Association for Science and Technology, HNU President Luo Qingming, also a member of CAS, along with other members of the university leadership.
Prof. Michael Grätzel began his presentation by highlighting the pivotal role of materials innovation in the development of perovskite-based photovoltaic technologies. Centering on molecular photovoltaics, the application of dye-sensitized solar cells, and the rapid advancement of perovskite solar cells, he introduced the latest research progress in new photovoltaic technologies in certain aspects such as component regulation, molecular engineering, interface chemistry and dimensional control. He also reviewed the evolution of charge-carrier transport architectures, analyzed and envisioned the evolving trends in the industrialization pattern, and shared the latest research findings of his team in the field of perovskite materials and devices.
Prof. Grätzel noted that perovskite solar cells have emerged as one of the most transformative technologies in photovoltaics in recent years by virtue of their high photoelectric conversion efficiency, low-cost fabrication routes and excellent tunable optoelectronic properties. He stated that current research toward the industrialization of perovskite solar cells is shifting from the mere pursuit of efficiency to a greater emphasis on device stability and controllability during fabrication. Looking forward, he advocated for designing carbon-based materials guided by predictive models, actively exploring environmentally friendly fabrication methods, and establishing standardized testing systems.
The lecture drew a large audience, with faculty members and students actively engaging in discussions on theoretical innovations and technological breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells. In response, Prof. Grätzel patiently provided professional answers in response to their questions.
The lecture was attended both online and offline. Among the participants were representatives from the Hainan Association for Science and Technology, local sci-tech professionals and 700 teachers and students from multiple HNU campuses, including Haidian, Danzhou, Mission Hills, and Yazhou Bay.
Translated by Zhang Xiaohan
Proofread by Yang Jie
