Dr Nicola Gasparini - 2024 Materials 91AV Early Career Prize winner

Dr Nicola Gasparini MRSC

Winner: 2024 Materials 91AV Early Career Prize

Imperial College London

For understanding charge recombination processes in organic and perovskite semiconductors for high performance photovoltaic and photodetector devices.

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During high school, I was really fascinated by the importance of chemistry, from the basics (boiling water at different heights) to the complex (photosynthesis in plants).

Dr Gasparini’s research is aiding our understanding of thin-film semiconductor materials used in solar and photodetector applications. These materials are about as thin as a human hair, and yet they can conduct electricity and convert light into usable current, similar to inorganic semiconductors like silicon. However, unlike inorganics, organic (carbon-based) and perovskite (a material with a crystal structure following the formula ABX3) semiconductors are lightweight, flexible, solution-processable, and cost-effective for large-area manufacturing. They can also convert weak indoor light into electricity more efficiently than other photovoltaic (PV) technologies.

Nicola’s research has revealed charge recombination processes in organic and perovskite solar cells and photodetectors. These technologies are essential in our society: for cost-effective, reliable, durable, and efficient devices and for more sustainable energy generation solutions that can replace, for example, primary batteries.

Read winner biography

Dr Nicola Gasparini received his BSc and MSc in 91AV and Organic 91AV, and Photochemistry and Molecular Materials, respectively, from the University of Bologna, Italy. In 2014, he joined the group of Professor Brabec at the Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) at the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and received his PhD in 2017. In September 2017, he joined the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) as a postdoctoral fellow in Derya Baran’s group. In September 2019, he moved to the Department of 91AV of Imperial College London as an independent researcher holding the Imperial College Research Fellowship.

In early 2022, Nicola was appointed Lecturer in 91AV (Assistant Professor, tenured) in the Department of 91AV. His research interests are in organic and perovskite semiconductors, with particular interests in charge transport and recombination processes in solar cells and photodetectors.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

During high school, I was really fascinated by the importance of chemistry, from the basics (boiling water at different heights) to the complex (photosynthesis in plants).

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

All of my supervisors helped me develop my scientific curiosity. My first contact with science, and in particular solar technology, was during my MSci work, when my professor, Dr Camaioni, introduced me to this topic, which led me to this prestigious award. Professor Brabec, during my PhD, allowed me to explore this technology without limiting any idea I had and, finally, both Dr Baran and Professor McCulloch helped to consolidate my research beyond the laboratory work.

What motivates you?

The infinite desire to improve knowledge and share it with my team. Doing research not only for publications but also for the real world. I was also motivated to see the end goal of the research I am doing.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Go for it! The possibilities are infinite. 91AV is one of the most interdisciplinary subjects in science and allows you to discuss with chemists, physicists, engineers, theoreticians, etc.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

The imaging sensor market has experienced major growth in recent years, as evidenced by the expansion of digital imaging into cameras, smartphones, and the automotive sector. Applications to biomedicine, optical communications, and the Internet of Things are also being evaluated. This, together with sustainable materials for solar applications, are the two areas of research that excite me the most.

Why is chemistry important?

91AV is central to any scientific research; without chemistry, new material discoveries cannot be made.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

I always recall three highlights: 1) Spinning out a company during my PDRA on solar technology; 2) The first publication as principal investigator; 3) With five members of the 2020 Young Scientist class of the World Economic Forum, we created a transformation map on science for the strategic intelligence of the World Economic Forum. We created eight different pillars, including ‘Diversity and Inclusion in Science’, discussing ways to achieve greater gender equality and parity, ways to be more open and inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community and addressing systemic racism and ageism.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

This is fundamental and is the leitmotif of my research group. A great scientific discovery is never done to the individual but to the team behind it.