Background
Kieran Curson is a Doctoral Researcher in the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) at Loughborough University. He graduated from Loughborough University in 2022 with an MEng in Materials Science and Engineering, completing his master’s research project on ceramic materials for solar hydrogen generation.
His doctoral research focuses on the characterisation and optimisation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic devices, with particular emphasis on understanding the relationships between processing, microstructure and optoelectronic performance. His work investigates CdSeTe/CdTe absorber materials and interfaces using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and focused ion beam preparation.
During his PhD, Kieran undertook an industrial research placement at CTF Solar GmbH in Dresden, Germany, supported by a DAAD RISE Professional scholarship. This work contributed to his research into the optimisation of the CdCl₂ activation process for CdSeTe/CdTe photovoltaic devices.
Kieran has presented his research internationally at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC). At the 53rd IEEE PVSC in Montréal, Canada, he received the Best Poster Award for his work on optimising the CdCl₂ activation process in CdSeTe/CdTe photovoltaic devices.
Thin-film photovoltaics; CdTe and CdSeTe solar cells; photovoltaic materials characterisation; cathodoluminescence spectroscopy; electron microscopy; focused ion beam techniques; microstructure–optoelectronic relationships; CdCl₂ activation and processing.