ATSE Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship winner inspired by plants to create new solar panels
Materials Science and Engineering PhD student Jefferson Lam has been awarded the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering’s Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship for 2022.
Inspired by the solar energy harvesting techniques evolved over millennia in plants, Jefferson’s research aims to create a new generation of lightweight solar panels with the potential to revolutionise the widespread deployment of solar energy at ultra-low cost.
Currently, glass-based solar panels dominate the photovoltaic market, representing 95 per cent of all panels manufactured globally. However, these heavy glass panels are cumbersome to install, expensive and can’t be modularised, hindering ease of adoption.
Supported by the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership, Jefferson is researching novel polymer materials to replace these heavy glass components, with the aim of creating thinner and lightweight solar modules with surface modifications that will allow for cheaper and easier deployment at scale.
“Common plant leaves that transform light into energy through photosynthesis inspired me to try a new approach,” said Jefferson. “Surface structures on the leaves provide a host of anti-reflective, self-cleaning, and weather-resistant properties. My research will focus on creating polymer foils that facilitate the intricate replication of these biological structures onto solar modules, and I’m thrilled and thankful to receive the ATSE Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship to support my work.”
“With Jefferson’s standard for excellence, impressive skill set, and his connections with industry through the Monash Woodside Energy Partnership, I have no doubt that his research impact will be transformative,” said Professor Jacek Jasieniak, Jefferson’s PhD supervisor. “Jefferson’s research will directly apply this novel research into practice, blossoming into photovoltaic devices which can make a direct impact on our renewable energy needs today.”
“Jefferson is an outstanding PhD candidate and we’re delighted that his efforts and potential have been recognised with the ATSE Ezio Rizzardo scholarship,” said Associate Professor Timothy Scott, Associate Dean Graduate Research. “We look forward to seeing the impact his outstanding polymer research will undoubtedly have in creating new solutions to address climate change.”
About the scholarship:
The Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship acknowledges the potential impact of an outstanding PhD candidate in polymer science or engineering. The award is made to an existing scholarship holder who is intending to undertake PhD studies related to polymer science or engineering and whose work will benefit Australia. The scholarship will provide $10,000 per year over up to three years, plus a $5000 travel fund. The Academy administers the scholarship, which is funded by the former CRC for Polymers.
Award purpose:
- To encourage and support outstanding polymer research in Australia
- To draw national attention to Australia’s outstanding polymer research capability
- To elevate polymer research among the technology and innovation communities
- Reinforce the contribution polymer science or engineering makes to Australia’s reputation as a centre of technology and innovation leadership.
