معرفی
Professor Igor Konovalov is a distinguished academic specializing in photovoltaics and semiconductor technology at Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, where he has served as Professor for Photovoltaics and Semiconductor Technology since January 2010. His academic journey began with undergraduate studies in physics at Shevchenko University in Kiev (1990-1995), followed by doctoral research at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg executed at Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics (1997-2000), and culminated with his habilitation at Leipzig University in 2009. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Research Scientist at the Institute of Solar Technologies in Frankfurt (2000-2002) and at Universität Leipzig's Wilhelm Ostwald Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (2002-2009).
Professor Konovalov's research focuses on third-generation photovoltaics, particularly hot carrier solar cells which promise very high energy conversion efficiency. His work spans semiconductor heterostructures, thin film technology, and novel characterization methods for photovoltaic materials. He has developed innovative approaches for measuring hot carrier temperature under natural sunlight and has extensive expertise in sputtering deposition and electrochemical methods for semiconductor structure fabrication. His research group maintains a well-equipped laboratory with specialized instrumentation for photovoltaic research and development.
Professor Konovalov has received notable recognition for his work, including a silver medal at iENA in Nürnberg in 2013 for his patent 'Hot carrier Solarzelle'. His publication record spans from 1995 to 2019, with recent work focusing on hot carrier extraction mechanisms, energy selective contacts, and novel semiconductor heterostructures for next-generation solar cells. His research demonstrates consistent innovation in pushing the boundaries of solar energy conversion efficiency.
Among his significant contributions are:
- Development of methods for measuring hot carrier temperature under natural sunlight
- Research on energy selective contacts using nanostructured materials
- Investigation of heterostructures like ZnTe/PbSe and CuI/indium sulfides
- Patents related to hot carrier solar cell technology
- Electrochemical methods for semiconductor structure fabrication
Professor Konovalov actively mentors students through research projects and has supervised multiple Bachelor theses and doctoral work. His laboratory provides students with hands-on experience using advanced photovoltaic research equipment while contributing to cutting-edge solar technology development. He maintains an open invitation for research collaboration in thin-film photovoltaics, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field through shared knowledge and expertise.
