The Architect of New Materials: Let There Be Better Solar Cells

Prof. Yuanyuan ZHOU, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at HKUST, is dedicated to advancing solar technology through innovative materials research. He leads a team focused on developing perovskite solar cells, which promise higher efficiency and lower production costs compared to traditional silicon solar cells. With a newly rebuilt laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art technology, Prof. Zhou is determined to commercialize these sustainable energy solutions and explore their applications in various fields, including biomedical devices and imaging technologies.

Prof. Zhou's research group has made significant progress in enhancing the stability and durability of perovskite materials, overcoming key barriers to their practical use. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging HKUST's strong industry connections and supportive start-up culture to bring their innovations to market. Additionally, Prof. Zhou is integrating artificial intelligence into his research by introducing a robotic arm-based AI platform, which aims to revolutionize materials discovery and synthesis processes, further enhancing the efficiency of their research efforts.

A passionate advocate for materials science, Prof. Zhou encourages his students to think critically and creatively about their research paths. His own journey in academia has shaped his approach to mentoring, as he believes that persistent thinking often leads to breakthroughs. Prof. Zhou's enthusiasm for his work and the tranquil HKUST campus fuels his ambition to make impactful contributions to sustainable energy and materials science, positioning him as a key figure in the field's future advancements.

For more information, please refer to: The Architect of New Materials: Let There Be Better Solar Cells | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology