Doctoral Candidates

Host institutions and supervisors

CEA – Grenoble, France

Université Grenoble Alpes

Supervisors: Dr. Renaud Demadrille, Dr. Cyril Aumaître

Scientific background

I’m an organic chemist with a Master’s degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Florence, Italy, where I developed a strong foundation in organic chemistry. My Master’s thesis, carried out at the ICCOM – CNR institute in Florence, focused on the synthesis of organic photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for indoor use. My work mainly involved designing and synthesizing new molecules and evaluating their properties for photovoltaic applications.

Research project

High efficiency and stable DSPV cells and mini-modules for low-light operation

In my PhD project, I will develop new organic dyes for DSSCs optimized for indoor lighting. I will synthesize low-complexity dyes and design dye cocktails tailored to artificial light spectra, while developing stable and eco-friendly electrolytes, including cobalt-, copper-based, and organic HTMs. I will also create polymer-based counter electrodes to replace platinum and fabricate optimized devices using Design of Experiments and machine learning to improve performance, stability, and sustainability.

Host institutions and supervisors

Epishine AB – Supervisors: Mr. Thomas Österberg, Dr. Gulzada Beket

Tampere University – Supervisor: Prof. Paola Vivo

Scientific background

I hold a master’s degree in Organic and Molecular Electronics from TU Dresden, Germany. My thesis focused on fabricating quasi-2D perovskite thin films using spin coating and slot-die coating, studying the impact of processing parameters on their physical and optical properties. I have 1.5 years of cleanroom experience fabricating organic and inorganic devices such as FETs and capacitors, at cfaed, Dresden.

Research project

Towards industrially compatible high-performance organic IPV – Active material meta-processes

This project investigates how OPV active-material ink parameters such as thermal history, shear, substrate interactions, and drying conditions affect performance and stability. Using in-situ photoluminescence, it aims to quantify ink aggregation and vertical donor–acceptor stratification. The goal is to systematize these effects in an industrially relevant framework, enabling scalable OPV devices with high performance and long-term operational stability.

Host institutions and supervisors

University of Siena Supervisors: Prof. Adalgisa Sinicropi, Prof. Maria Laura Parisi

Scientific background

I have a background in process engineering & Chemistry, combining industrial process optimization with sustainable materials research. During my bachelor’s studies, I worked with Fromageries Bel Company on improving production quality by applying statistical process control methods and calculating control chart limits. I later pursued a master’s degree in chemistry, where I synthesized a plant-based magnetic cobalt ferrite nanocomposite and evaluated its efficiency in removing metal ions and dyes from aqueous solutions.

Research project

Eco-design of materials and processes for eco-efficient IPV devices

My research focuses on assessing the sustainability of next-generation IPVs using advanced LCA methodologies. The work develops detailed life cycle inventories, applying prospective LCA modelling, and conducting comprehensive environmental impact analysis, with particular attention to critical raw materials used in IPVs manufacturing. The main objective is to identify optimal materials, combinations, and processes for the most sustainable life-cycle eco-profile, enabling eco-efficient absorbers, dyes, charge transport materials, and encapsulation processes.

Host institutions and supervisors

Tampere university

Supervisor: Prof. Paola Vivo

Scientific background

I hold a master’s degree in chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. During my master’s studies, I had the opportunity to carry out my thesis research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) under the supervision of Prof. Anshu Pandey, where I investigated the optoelectronic properties of various colloidal quantum dots. Following this, I continued at IISc as a Project Assistant, further strengthening my research experience in nanomaterials and optoelectronic characterization.

Research project

Development of charge transport materials for IPVs

My research focuses on the development of inorganic charge transport layers (CTLs) for indoor photovoltaic applications, combining materials design, device fabrication, and photophysical characterization to understand charge transport and interfacial processes. I work on optimizing CTLs and integrating them into lead-free indoor photovoltaic devices to improve performance. Currently, my research is centered on tin oxide (SnO₂) as an electron transport layer (ETL), where I explore ink-level chemical modification of colloidal SnO₂ to tailor its properties and enhance device performance under indoor lighting conditions.

Host institutions and supervisors

Technische Universität München. Supervisor: Prof. Alessio Gagliardi

Scientific background

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria and a Master’s degree in Physics from the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, where I specialized in solid-state and condensed matter physics. During my Master’s, I developed a strong interest in machine learning and deep learning. My master thesis combined these fields by investigating attention mechanisms in graph neural networks for molecular potential modeling, bridging data-driven methods with materials science applications.

Research project

Data-driven methods for experimental guidance and image analysis

As a PhD candidate at the Technical University of Munich within the MENTOR, I work on data-driven methods to support the optimization of solution-processed device fabrication. My research combines Bayesian Optimization with Gaussian-process models and machine-learning approaches that incorporate practical constraints. In parallel, I use convolutional neural networks to analyze experimental images for films and devices to predict optical and electrical properties, with ongoing work to extend the approach to image sequences.

Host institutions and supervisors

Eco Recycling srl – Supervisor: Dr. Emanuela Moscardini

La Sapienza University of Rome – Supervisor: Prof. Francesca Pagnanelli

Scientific background

I am a passionate materials engineer, focused on critical raw materials recovery to face supply challenges in the renewable energy sector. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering (University of Naples, Italy) and a master’s degree in Functional Materials Engineering with AI tools for sustainability (FAMEAIS Erasmus Mundus program: University of Grenoble Alpes INP-PHELMA, France – University of Aveiro, Portugal). My diverse expertise in materials characterization serves as the foundation for my current research into sustainable recycling solutions and circular economy frameworks.

Research project

Recycling processes for inorganic and PSK-based IPVs

This research focuses on developing innovative scalable recycling processes for next-generation photovoltaics, based on perovskite, kesterite, dye-sensitized and organic solar cells, which are not yet commercially available. By adopting a proactive ‘design-for-recycling’ approach, the goal is to ensure these emerging technologies are industrially compatible with a circular economy from the outset. Exploring the state-of-the-art of existing recycling processes worldwide will allow to develop innovative recycling processes that will be optimized at lab scale. To demonstrate their scalability, a technical and economic feasibility study will also be conducted, leading to the development of a business plan.

Host institutions and supervisors

Worldsensing (WSE), supervisor: Dr. Francisco Hernández-Ramírez

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), supervisor: Dr. Edgardo Saucedo

Scientific background

My background is in Electronic Engineering; I hold a bachelor’s degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil); a master’s in integrated Circuits and Embedded Systems from ENSEEIHT – Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (France); and a Master of Science in Information Systems from the University of São Paulo (Brazil). These experiences have given me a diverse academic background that connects hardware, embedded technologies, and information systems.

Research project

Development and Validation of IoT prototype powered by MENTOR IPVs

My research aims to develop and validate a scalable IoT framework compatible with IPVs. We will implement power management and control strategies to effectively manage the energy generated by IPV systems when coupled to IoT devices. This work focuses on commercial IoT edge devices used in structural health monitoring applications. To validate the functionality of the solution, we will deploy prototypes in relevant environments. The goal of this research is to contribute to long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of IoT technologies.