Bio
Lianfeng Zhao is currently a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University. He received a B.S. from Xidian University in 2012, M.S. from Tsinghua University in 2014, and Ph.D. from Princeton University in 2019. His research interests are in optoelectronic thin-film devices, systems, and applications. He was the recipient of the 2018-2019 Princeton Wallace Memorial Fellowship in Engineering, 2017 Princeton SEAS Award for Excellence, 2014 Tsinghua Best Thesis Award and Tsinghua Outstanding Graduate for Academic Achievement Award.

Abstract
Metal halide perovskite semiconductors, a class of hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors, hold the potential to become the backbone of a new generation of photovoltaic solar cells and light emitting diodes (LEDs). The power conversion efficiencies of metal halide perovskite solar cells currently exceed 25% (best in class for thin-film solar cells), and the external quantum efficiencies for metal halide perovskite LEDs have reached approximately 20%.

Despite rapid laboratory advances in device performance, a better understanding of their fundamental properties is crucial for optimization and commercialization. In this seminar I will describe research in our group on fundamental properties of metal halide perovskite semiconductors, and how that understanding can be deployed to immediately benefit device performance and stability. Our findings on intrinsic chemical properties of metal halide perovskites reveal fundamental principles for pursuing stable solar absorbers and light emitters and suggest strategies to achieve stable bandgap tunability for wavelength-tunable LEDs, lasers and tandem solar cells. Finally, mechanical stability has been improved by pursuing molecular engineering for flexible applications, and thermal management strategies have been explored for high-power applications.

About the New Light Series
New Light: Rising Stars in Energy and the Environment is a summer webinar series to spotlight associate research scholars, postdoctoral research fellows, and other early-career researchers affiliated with the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. Weekly webinars feature a diverse range of researchers working on cutting-edge topics across disciplines who seek to solve society’s most pressing problems in energy and the environment. View the full line-up.