Biography

Bachelor of Science from the “Universidad Autónoma” of Madrid (2000) and PhD from the University of Wales (2004), I have dedicated my research to the study of semiconductor materials and to the development of electronic devices.

During my stay at the University of Wales, I contributed to the at-the-time rising field of organic electronics, where I successfully adapted interface characterization techniques in MOS technology (like admittance spectroscopy) for the characterization of MIS and FET devices based on semiconducting polymers.

Since 2005 I have been a researcher at the Renewable Energies Division of CIEMAT, where I have directed my research toward the development of materials and devices for photovoltaic applications. During this time, my research interests have evolved alongside the technological trends observed in the field of photovoltaic silicon devices. During the initial stage, my research activity focused on the development of PECVD-deposited silicon alloys; the development of p-i-n type photovoltaic devices based on deposited silicon; and on the uses of lasers for the fabrication of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules. One of the main milestones achieved during this period was the successful realization of the monolithic interconnection in p-i-n modules, reaching device efficiencies well above 7%. This technological breakthrough was the first example of p-i-n modules created with technology 100% developed within Spanish research institutions.

Nowadays, my research has shifted mostly towards the development of silicon heterojunction solar cells, with special emphasis in obtaining excellent passivation values (minority carrier effective lifetimes above 7 ms and Voc values above 720 mV) and the application of new materials as alternatives to amorphous silicon emitters. In this line, I have participated in several projects related to the application of graphene to silicon solar cells, and the prospecting of new materials as selective emitters for silicon solar cells.

I have co-author more than 60 scientific papers published in indexed international journals and communications to conferences. I have also directed a PhD thesis about the use of lasers in the field of photovoltaic devices and have participated in several editions of seminars and courses about photovoltaic devices and characterization techniques relevant to the study of solar cells.