The Daily Bulletin Archive

Please join us for "Nanotechnology Realized through Photovoltaics: Science, Society, and the Future," a presentation by Saquib Ahmed, assistant professor of engineering technology, on Thursday, September 13, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Bulger Communication Center 215.

This talk will focus on one of the most revolutionary uses of nanotechnology—the area of solar energy or photovoltaics (PV). The talk will cover basic solar cell device physics and touch upon the various generations of PV technologies on the market. Importantly, beyond the science, it will delve into a range of topics that dictate the success of the PV industry, including PV commercial viability, markets, grid parity, and growth.

The talk will also touch on a few critical general themes of nanotechnology for the present era: artificial intelligence (AI) and its emergence in nanoscience applications; process flow innovations and challenges in the semiconductor manufacturing industry; and the ethical, legal, and social implications of nanotechnology and their constant evolution.