Thomas Whittles

Thomas Whittles is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Solid State Quantum Electronics at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany (since 2018). He completed his PhD in Physics at the University of Liverpool (2013-2017), specializing in electronic characterization of earth-abundant sulphides for solar photovoltaics.

• Education
  • MPhys in Physics (University of Durham, 2009-2013)
  • PhD in Physics (University of Liverpool, 2017)

Research Interests focus on photovoltaic materials, particularly condensed matter physics of earth-abundant sulphides like CuSbS₂, Cu₃BiS₃, SnS, and CZTS. His work investigates electronic structures, band alignments, and material properties via XPS and inverse photoemission, aiming to improve solar cell efficiency through thin film characterization and surface electronic property optimization.

Scientific Contributions include Springer Theses publication (2018), Best Thesis Prize (2017), and Woodruff Thesis Prize (2017). His publications span materials science, solid state physics, and photovoltaic device engineering, with key studies on work function tailoring, sapphire surface morphology, and transparent conducting oxides.

Awards & Memberships

• Best Thesis Prize (University of Liverpool, 2017)
• Woodruff Thesis Prize (Institute of Physics, 2017)
• Thesis Publication in Springer Theses (2018)
• Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP, since 2018)

Publications show a focus on photovoltaic materials (CuSbS₂, Cu₃BiS₃, SnS) and thin film characterization, with recent work on heterostructure work functions and sapphire surface processing. His research bridges experimental material science and theoretical band structure modeling.