Guest Lecture | Perovskites for Space: Atomically Reconfigurable Semiconductors for the 21st Century Space Age
Our ever-increasing extraterrestrial presence and the exponential growth of the space economy demand a new generation of scalable, low-cost, and space-tolerant electronics. While silicon and III-V semiconductors have long dominated space power systems, a new class of materials - metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) - is emerging as a promising candidate for next-generation space photovoltaics.
Abstract: Our ever-increasing extraterrestrial presence and the exponential growth of the space economy demand a new generation of scalable, low-cost, and space-tolerant electronics. While silicon and III-V semiconductors have long dominated space power systems, a new class of materials - metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) - is emerging as a promising candidate for next-generation space photovoltaics. In this seminar, I will present a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with deploying MHPs in space environments. I will begin by addressing the critical need for tailored radiation testing guidelines for MHPs, presenting our efforts at developing these guidelines and highlighting their stark difference with established protocols for traditional semiconductors. Next, I will question the prevailing assumptions about the intrinsic radiation tolerance of MHPs and present our recent insights into radiation-matter interactions in these materials, shedding light on their reconfigurable and polaronic nature. Building on this foundation, I will introduce a transformative approach to achieve extreme tolerance in perovskites through a "barrier rethink” - where ultrathin, conformal coatings demonstrate a remarkable ability to match the radiation shielding performance of conventional thick cover glass. Finally, I will discuss outstanding challenges and future research directions, outlining how advances in perovskite science could illuminate a new frontier of soft, healable, and adaptable materials tailored for extreme environments. This talk aims to spark discussions on the role of innovative materials in enabling the next era of space power systems and beyond.
Bio: Dr. Ahmad Kirmani is an Assistant Professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), NY, where he leads a research group dedicated to advancing printable semiconductors for extreme environments, including outer space. Prior to joining RIT in 2023, Dr. Kirmani conducted postdoctoral research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He has published over 60 research articles and delivered several invited talks. His notable contributions include developing radiation testing protocols for perovskite solar cells, ultralight barrier layers for space photovoltaics, and demonstrating the self-healing potential of perovskites under radiation. Dr. Kirmani serves as the technical lead for RIT at the Advanced Space Power Materials and Architectures (ASTROMAT) center, a $10 million initiative funded by the United States Space Force to advance next-generation space power technologies. He is also an Associate Editor for APL Energy.