Research Facilities

Research Facilities

Solar Cell Fabrication Laboratory

It has two separate Lad setup, (i) wet lab, where all martial synthesis works are carried out; (ii) dry lab, mostly equipped with material and cell characterization systems. 

Research:

Works are focused on solar cells (Perovksite and other thin film solar cells) with better thermal stability, thermal energy storage material heat management of renewable energy devices (solar cells, batteries, building space etc.) and thin film based dust repellent materials; keeping in the mind the Saudi Arabian weather condition. 

Current Projects:
SNo. Title Funding Agency
1.        The Development of Direct Ternary Nanocrystal Assemblies for Hybrid Photovoltaic Devices National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP)
2.        Novel double layer atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method for all inorganic perovskite synthesis: Development of PV technology stable against harsh weather conditions Deanship of Research Oversight and Coordination (DROC)
3.        Development of Plasmonic Nanoscatterers: An Innovative Approach to Devise Efficient Thin Film Solar Cell DROC
4.        Mono-(Cu, N) and Co-(Cu-N) Doped Metal Oxide: A Smart UV-Protective Layer for Photoactive Devices IRC-REPS
5.        Solar photovoltaic powered phase change INRE2113
6.        Novel (Co-, Ni)-calixarenes as Dispersed Catalysts for Heavy oil Upgrading Novel (Co-, Ni)-calixarenes as Dispersed Catalysts for Heavy oil Upgrading. DSR-DF181018
7.        CO2-Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane over Novel VOx on θ-Al2O3 Catalysts - A Green way for Propylene and Syngas DSR-DF191028
8.        In-situ Growth of Inhibitors on Oil Fly-CeO2 protective coating, DSR-SB191018
9.        Impact of Porous Structure on Solar Thermal Energy Storage Materials, DSR-IN171036
10.    Heavy oil upgrading using novel (Co-, Ni)-  Calix[6]arenes as a dispersed catalyst with a supported catalyst. DSR-SB171008
11.    LaCO3OH Nanoprisms: Photoluminescence and toxic NOx reduction properties  
DF191049
12.    Synthesis of hierarchical porous and hollow MgO microspheres for solar energy storage DF191056
Past Projects:
SNo. Title Funding Agency
1. Solar harvesting of surface modified lead chalcogenide heterostructures. NSTIP
2 Modified Composite Membranes and alloy catalyst for PEM/DMFC. NSTIP
3 Nanocrystalline Composite Oxides Membranes for Hydrogen Gas Separation and its Hydrothermal Stability.
(final Report Submitted) 		NSTIP
4 MWCNT grafted long chain fatty acids/fatty alcohols: A Novel Approach to have Higher Thermal Conductivity in Organic PCMs DROC
5 Nanostructured Protective Layer for Photovoltaic Applications Suitable under Harsh Weather conditions King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE)
6 Lead-free Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites for Solid State Solar Cell Application DROC
7 Experimental and Modelling development of a new model using optical properties of stable nanofluids for solar thermal applications DROC
8. Study of Charge collection using interdigitized nanorods in organic solar cell  NSTIP
9. Detection and degradation of wastewater contaminants from refining industry using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) NSTIP
10. In situ induced stress Raman spectroscopy measurements of a-Si:H thin films MIT-KFUPM
11. Capacitance-Voltage measurements of a-Si:H thin film solar cel MIT-KFUPM
12. Theoretical Modeling of electrical and mechanical properties of a-Si:H MIT-KFUPM
13. Development of YSZ-Based  Porous Tubular Anode Support and Dense Single Grain Electrolyte Layer For Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. NSTIP
10- ADV13 67-04
14. Nanocrystalline     Composite Oxides Membranes for Hydrogen Gas Separation and its Hydrothermal Stability, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
AT-21- 32
15. Molybdenum   (Mo)    based Dispersed Catalysts for Heavy Oil Upgrading. KACST KAP-11- 616
16. Self-Assembly of Janus-Dendrimers into Nanostructured Supramolecular Architectures KACST
ARP-34- 79
17.    Self -Polishing Polyurethane Coating for Biofouling Protection of Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms in Kingdom,  DSR-182-RFP-06
Facilities: 
S.L.No. Device / Equipment Name Quantity
(Number of devices available) 		Notes
(Brief Description)
1 Dektak profilometer 1 Topographic measurements
2 Micro-PCD 1 Exciton lifetime measurements
3 FTIR 1 Chemical Characterization of materials
4 UV-vis spectrometer 2 Absorption, transmission and diffraction measurements
5 Photoluminescence 1 To measure Optical Excitation and emission properties of materials
 
6 Solar simulator 1 Solar cell performance measurements
7 Spectral response 1 Solar cell spectral performance measurements
8 Spin coater 1 Thin Film deposition system
9 Keithley IV/CV (dark) system 1 Electrical IV and CV measurements
10 Sputtering system 1 Thin Film deposition system
11 Electrospinner 1 Thin Film deposition system
12 Weather station 1 Artificial weather station for sample treatment system.
13 Compact tube furnace 1 Materials synthesis and  thermal  treatment system
14 Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) System 1 Thin film deposition using generated plasma
16 Glove box 1 Controlled work environment
19 Multichannel Research Grade Potentiostate 1 Electrochemical characterization
20 Hall Effects Measurement System 1 Electrical conductivity
22 Extruder (Hydraulic Press),  for Ceramic micro tube 1 Ceramic micro tubes preparation
23 Mini-furnace 1 Thermal treatment
24 Vacuum oven 1 Material drying
25 Gas separation equipment with online GC 1 Membrane testing for gas separation
26 Agilent Gas Chromatograph 1 Characterization
27 Fuel Cell Test Station (FCT-50) 1 Testing hydrogen fuel cells
28 High speed centrifuge 2 Nano materials separation and washing
29 Semiautomatic polymeric membrane casting machine 1 Polymer membrane casing
30 Four probe conductivity meter 1 Conductivity or resistivity measurement system
31 Solarton Potentiostate 1 Electrochemical characterization
 
32 Acid Digestion Vessels 2 Catalysts preparation
33 Analytical Balances 2 weight
34 pH and Conductivity meter 2 Acidity and Conductivity measurement
35 Hydrothermal synthesis reactor 2 Catalysts preparation
 
36 Stirrer Hot plate 4 For mixing