Dana Sulas-Kern

Dana Sulas-Kern serves as a Researcher IV in the Materials Science Advanced Manufacturing group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where she has worked since 2018. Her research spans two primary areas: photovoltaic module/cell reliability and solar photochemistry, combining fundamental research on ultrafast processes with applied studies of photovoltaic durability.

Her educational background includes dual bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by a Master's and PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Washington.

Sulas-Kern's research focuses on photovoltaics device physics, reliability, and durability, with particular expertise in luminescence and thermal imaging, ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, time-resolved microwave photoconductivity, and photoinduced charge transfer processes. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with practical solar energy applications, addressing critical challenges in photovoltaic performance and longevity.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding degradation mechanisms in emerging photovoltaic technologies, particularly perovskite modules, while also exploring fundamental charge transport phenomena in novel materials systems. Her research integrates advanced characterization techniques with computational modeling to address real-world solar energy challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• American Chemical Society, Chemistry of Materials – Editor's Choice, Top 5 Most Read Article (2015)
• David M. Ritter Chemistry Graduate Fellowship Award (2011)
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (2012)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2012)
• National Science Foundation – Graduate Research Internship Program (2017)

Sulas-Kern has built an extensive research portfolio with over 85 publications spanning from 2018 to 2025. Her work demonstrates strong collaboration across national laboratories, universities, and industry partners. At NREL, she contributes to both fundamental understanding of photovoltaic materials and practical solutions for improving solar module reliability in field conditions.

Her research program integrates advanced experimental techniques including luminescence imaging, ultrafast spectroscopy, and microwave photoconductivity to address critical challenges in photovoltaic technology development and deployment. She maintains active collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory, MIT, and various academic and industry partners in the solar energy field.