Michael Graetzel

Michael Graetzel is Full Professor of Physical Chemistry at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he directs the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces. His pioneering research focuses on energy and electron transfer reactions in mesoscopic systems for solar energy conversion. He invented dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) that are commercially produced at multi-MW-scale and pioneered perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

His research interests span nanomaterials for solar energy, photoelectrochemical systems, and next-generation photovoltaic technologies. Key areas include mesoscopic injection solar cells, light harvesting systems, and novel materials for sustainable energy conversion.

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on advancing photovoltaic efficiency through material innovations and device engineering. Recent works explore perovskite stability, novel redox mediators, and hybrid systems for solar fuel generation.

• RusNANO Prize
• Zewail Prize in Molecular Science
• Global Energy Prize
• Millennium Technology Grand Prize
• Marcel Benoist Prize
• King Faisal International Science Prize
• Einstein World Award of Science
• Balzan Prize

He has supervised numerous PhD students including Alsabeh Ghewa, Agarwalla Anand, and over 25 other doctoral researchers. His laboratory collaborates globally on renewable energy projects and maintains several international research partnerships.

Dr. Graetzel leads the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at EPFL, coordinating teams working on nanomaterials synthesis, device fabrication, and characterization. The lab focuses on translating fundamental discoveries into practical solar energy applications.