KIVI NIRIA Speurwerkprijs 2010 awarded to René Janssen
The Royal Institute of Engineers KIVI NIRIA will award the Speurwerkprijs 2010 to FOM research group leader professor René Janssen. Janssen is professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology and leader of three projects within the Joint Solar Programme (JSP), one of FOM's Industrial Partnership Programmes (IPP). He is awarded this prize for numerous pioneering contributions in the field of polymeric solar cells, popularly referred to as plastic solar cells.
The KIVI NIRIA Speurwerkprijs is awarded annually for alternating fields of research; this year's theme is 'Materials for sustainable energy'. "We are looking for breakthroughs in materials development for energy conversion processes, which in many cases call for an innovative system approach that integrates disciplines and sectors", according to the jury report.
The jury praised Janssen for his great scientific contribution to the study of functional molecular materials and organic semiconductors, in particular as applied to plastic solar cells. Although they cannot match the efficiency of the conventional silicon solar cells, plastic solar cells do have other advantages. For one, they can be manufactured in a way similar to printing newspapers, by applying material on a role of substrate. The high production speed implies great potential for cost reduction, thus yielding a better 'power per euro' than conventional solar cells. Moreover, plastic solar cells are flexible and light, making them suitable for integration in the design of appliances, and for applications such as vehicles or even clothes.
The KIVI NIRIA particularly praises professor Janssen's approach to work on all relevant aspects of polymeric solar cells within a single group at a very high scientific and technical level. According to the jury, this makes his research group unique in the world and ensures a continued contribution of significant new ideas and developments within the field.
The Speurwerkprijs will be presented to professor Janssen at a symposium organized specifically for this event. The symposium, entitled 'Technology for photovoltaics', will take place on June 15, 2010 at Eindhoven University of Technology. For more information, see http://www.kiviniria.net/tr?transaction=KIVI_ACT006&PARAM1=1793.