Christian Wolff

Christian Wolff serves as a Researcher at the Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-LAB) within the Institute of Microengineering at EPFL's School of Engineering. He leads a research group pioneering advancements in perovskite-based photovoltaics, specializing in tandem solar cell architectures that achieve record efficiencies while addressing stability challenges for commercial deployment.

His academic foundation includes a Physics doctorate from the University of Potsdam focused on halide perovskite solar cells, preceded by undergraduate studies at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München investigating nanoparticulate photocatalysts for water splitting. This was followed by EPFL postdoctoral research funded by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship.

Wolff's research program centers on pushing the boundaries of photovoltaic efficiency through innovative materials engineering. Key thrusts include developing stable perovskite-silicon tandem configurations, mastering degradation mechanisms in halide perovskites, and creating scalable fabrication techniques for industrial translation. His work integrates advanced spectroscopy with device physics to optimize carrier management and photon harvesting.

Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals a concentrated focus on perovskite-silicon tandem systems, with dominant themes in large-area manufacturing (60 cm² modules), interface engineering for stability, and novel light management strategies. The research demonstrates strong industrial relevance through solutions addressing scalability, UV degradation, and economic viability while maintaining scientific rigor in materials characterization.

Recognition for his contributions includes:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions individual fellowship
• Carl-Ramsauer-Price from the Physical Society of Berlin
• Multiple publication and conference awards

Wolff actively mentors the next generation of photovoltaic researchers, currently supervising six PhD candidates while having successfully graduated Guesnay Quentin Jean-Marie Armand. His group operates within EPFL's PV-LAB, which maintains strategic partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers to accelerate technology transfer. Current projects focus on exceeding 30% efficiency in commercial-scale tandem modules while solving operational stability challenges through advanced encapsulation and material design.

The PV-LAB under Wolff's leadership combines fundamental materials research with applied engineering, utilizing state-of-the-art thin-film deposition and characterization facilities. The team's collaborative approach bridges academic discovery and industrial implementation, with recent work emphasizing manufacturable solutions for next-generation solar technologies.