Linking South Dakota’s Future With Science & Technology Spring 2011 SD IGERT Program Broadens Horizons for Aspiring Graduate Students www.sdepscor.org UPDATE SD EPSCOR Q&A: Exploring PANS Research Through Synthetic Chemistry Inkjet Printing: A Future Avenue for Producing Solar Cell Collector Networks? LAUNCH Conference Attracts 300 Students and Educators A Closer Look: Dr. Ranjit Koodali, University of South Dakota USD researcher aspires to expand Photo Active Nanoscale Systems (PANS) technology through the development of microporous and mesoporous nanostructured materials South Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
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L i n k i n g S o u t h D a k o t a ’ s F u t u r e W i t h S c i e n c e & T e c h n o l o g y
Spring 2011
SD IGERT Program Broadens Horizons for Aspiring Graduate Students
www.sdepscor.org
UPDATESD EPSCOR
Q&A: Exploring PANS Research Through Synthetic Chemistry
Inkjet Printing: A Future Avenue for Producing Solar Cell Collector Networks? LAUNCH Conference Attracts 300 Students and Educators
A Closer Look: Dr. Ranjit Koodali, University of South Dakota
USD researcher aspires to expand Photo Active Nanoscale Systems (PANS) technology through the development of microporous and mesoporous nanostructured materials
South Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
South Dakota EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Goals: Photo Active Nanoscale Systems (PANS)Research focused in two core areas• Third Generation Photovoltaics Based on Spectral Conversion of Solar Radiation• Photo Active Nano-Inks for Direct Write Electronics Fabrication Collaborative efforts—from all researchers
Technology-Based Economic Development & Entrepreneurship• Partner with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (Department of Tourism & State Development) and Black Hills State University to promote entrepreneurship• Encourage S&T leadership development• Support technology entrepreneurship education programs
Partner with South Dakota’s Tribal Colleges• Develop and implement research infrastructure improvements• Increase collaborations with other South Dakota universities• Promote participation in the South Dakota 2010 Initiative’s economic development activities
Outreach Activities• Raise awareness of South Dakota EPSCoR and its contributions to the state• Provide research experiences to Tribal College faculty and students • SD EPSCoR partners with the SD Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the SD Office of Commercialization, and the SD Board of Regents. Through these collaborations business/technology education programs are created.• National science & economic development and entrepreneurship conferences held in South Dakota• Annual Student Research Poster Day held at the Capitol Building in Pierre
The REACH Committee • Provides guidance to South Dakota EPSCoR• Promotes understanding of EPSCoR programs and their impact on our state• Spearheads new policies and resources• Ensures rigorous merit review processes• Generates high levels of collaboration• Keeps EPSCoR responsive to state and regional needs• Developed and implemented the state’s first Science and Technology Strategic Development Plan• Expand graduate education• Strengthen interdisciplinary and collaborative research in targeted “niche” areas• Develop the state’s research infrastructure• Support the Governor’s 2010 Initiative• Members are South Dakota’s leading scientists, political leaders, university administrators and private sector representatives
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In This Issue:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) created the first Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program in 1980. Today, six other federal agencies have followed NSF in creating EPSCoR programs: the National Institutes of Health, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture.
EPSCoR identifies, develops, and uses a state’s academic science and technology (S&T) resources to support its economic growth and promote a more productive and fulfilling way of life for its citizens. EPSCoR acts on the premise that universities, their science and engineering faculty, and their students are valuable resources that can influence a state’s development in the 21st century. To achieve this goal, NSF collaborates with state leaders in government, higher education, and business to create partnerships that can bring lasting improvements to the state’s academic research infrastructure and increase its national research and development (R&D) competitiveness.
What is EPSCoR?
Twenty-seven states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are currently eligible to compete in the NSF EPSCoR program. The states are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
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page four: A Closer Look: Dr. Ranjit Koodali, University of South Dakota page six: Q&A: Exploring PANS Research Through Synthetic Chemistry page seven: Inkjet Printing: A Future Avenue for Producing Solar Cell Collector Networks page eight: Launch 11 Conference Attracts 300 Students and Educators page nine: SD IGERT Program Broadens Horizons for Aspiring Graduate Students page ten: Students Showcase Research at 2011 University Poster Session in Pierre page twelve: Organic Photovoltaic Materials: Looking to Nature to Expand Solar Technology page fourteen: Spectroscopic Imaging: Repurposing Low-energy Light to Create Renewable Energy
A C l o s e r L o o k : D r . R a n j i t T . K o o d a l i
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“As populations continue to grow worldwide, there has never been a more urgent time to develop alternative forms of energy,” said Koodali. “At its very core, photoelectrochemistry strives to transform
solar radiation into clean, efficient energy, such as hydrogen or electricity, while minimizing its impact on the environment.”
A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), Koodali’s
early career saw him working with some of the field’s most dynamic photoelectrochemistry research
teams, including stints with Dr. Itamar Willner (Hebrew University of Jeruslaem) and the late Dr. Larry Kevan (University of Houston). His experiences as a member of those groups spurred a passion for the characterization and synthesis of microporous and mesopourus nanostructured materials—porous, semiconductive materials that harbor the potential to make solar energy conversion much more efficient.
“One thing that drove my initial interest in photovoltaics was the fact that so many semiconductive microporous and mesoporous materials can be found in nature,” explained Koodali. “The vast variety of pore sizes and shapes in these materials leaves much territory to be explored in the realm of photoelectrochemistry.”
Coming from a Country where Clean, renewable energy is an urgent need, it Comes with little surprise that usd’s dr. ranjit t. Koodali has traveled around the world on a quest to unCover newer, more effiCient avenues for harnessing the sun’s energy. hailing from Kerala, india, one of the world’s most population-dense regions, it’s safe to say that Koodali’s researCh on solar power has both professional and personal signifiCanCe of their organization.
“We are hoping that the synthetic methods developed for the preparation of these
mesoporous materials are scalable and can eventually be applied towards the mass production of high-efficiency solar cells.”
- Ranjit Koodali
Koodali’s extensive research on various semiconductor, nanostructured materials eventually landed him a spot as an associate professor of chemistry at the University of South Dakota (USD) in 2005, where he soon became involved with SD EPSCoR a year later. What started out as a modest research initiative soon blossomed into a dedicated team of 5 full-time graduate students, 4 undergraduate students and several associate collaborators at
universities and laboratories across the nation—all in the pursuit of better, cleaner energy.
Since then, Koodali’s team has led the way to several important breakthroughs in the science of photovoltaics, including the development of semiconductive oxide materials that cut back on pollutants more actively than commercial
grade titanium dioxide materials. The group has also successfully prepared highly active mesoporous materials for solar hydrogen production. Combined, these discoveries show great promise for improving the efficiency and reliability of solar energy technology.
“We are hoping that the synthetic methods developed for the preparation of these mesoporous materials are scalable and can eventually be applied towards the
Ranjit Koodali
Koodali calibrates USD’s multipurpose X-ray diffraction unit in preparation for an experiment.
A C l o s e r L o o k : D r . R a n j i t T . K o o d a l i
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mass production of high-efficiency solar cells,” added Koodali.
While the environmental and technological benefits of high-efficiency solar cells are evident, Koodali’s research also houses the potential to stimulate rigorous economic growth for the state of South Dakota. As part of a state-wide effort from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Koodali’s research team and others throughout the state remain a key resource for attracting potential alternative energy manufacturers—offering the promise stimulating economic growth and creating hundreds of new jobs throughout the state.
“With energy being one of the target industry sectors for the Governer’s Ofice of Economic Development (GOED), Koodali’s research team and others throughout the state are a valuable resource for attracting and helping existing solar energy companies—offering the promise of stimulating economic growth and creating new jobs throughout the state,” said Mel Ustad, Director of Research and Commercialization for the GOED. The benefits of Koodali’s talents are not limited to just South Dakota alone. In the spirit of creating even further dialogue on the latest advancements in chemistry and photovoltaics, Koodali recently helped co-organize a graduate symposium to be held at the ACS National Meeting & Exposition in Denver, Colorado this summer from August 28-September 1, 2011.
“The event will aim to bring together some of the brightest young minds in engineering and chemistry to discuss a variety of topics ranging from
computational methods to photoelectric chemistry,” said Koodali. “We encourage all interested parties to learn about the symposium at our website: http://abstracts.acs.org”
While Koodali’s pursuit of cleaner, more efficient energy has taken him many places during his young career, much work remains before large-scale mesoporous oxide solar cells become a reality.
“Ultimately, we hope that our research will lead to new energy sources that will mitigate environmental pollution,” said Koodali. “With the funding and framework that SD EPSCoR has put together for our research, we are getting closer and closer to that reality each day.” Koodali and PhD student Kimobo Harrison prepare a sample to analyze with USD’s high-
performance liquid chromatograph.
The ChemBET-3000 chemisorption analyzer uses a high-temperature furnace and a programmable controller to collect temperature programmed (TPA) profiles and activation energy calculations for Koodali’s research group.
To view a video profile of Koodali’s work, visit: www.sdepscor.org
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Q&A: Exploring pAnS rESEArch Through SynThETic chEmiSTry
Q: How long have you been working on PANS research at Augustana?
A: Technically, since the beginning of this current PANS grant, which is a little less than two years.
Q: What other research groups have you been involved with?
A: Just last month I joined two Grand Opportunities groups that are investigating Reconfigurable Antennas on Flexible Substrates-Broadband Multilayer Filters (Dimitris Anagnostou) and Cost-Effective Excitonic Solar Cells (Brian Logue). We are excited about starting these projects, and this summer will be the first time that I will be working with PANS funding for student researchers!
Q: What first interested you in PANS research?
A: The promise of renewable energy. I think we all realize that the energy requirements of humanity are never going to decrease and that we should always be looking at new technologies. There is also a natural progression with my research on organic light-emitting diodes to convert to photovoltaics. The organosilicon compounds that I have been studying, siloles, have been recently of interest as photovoltaic materials after about 10 years of OLED research.
Q: How many students and faculty are involved in PANS research at Augustana?
A: There are five professors and twelve students that will be involved with PANS research for Summer 2011.
Q: What are some of the primary investigative areas that your group will be focused on?
A: We are a synthetic chemistry group concerned with organic and organometallic materials. Specifically, we work on pi-conjugated diarylacetylenes and siloles. These are a good semiconducting molecular species that they are especially known for their luminescence. We believe these properties could prove to be quite useful in solar cells, and we plan on trying to synthesize some siloles to incorporate into photovoltaic devices and to investigate their use in printable antennas.
Q: How has EPSCoR funding helped improve your research infrastructure?
A: Last year, we purchased a 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, which has greatly increased our productivity in the lab. We have used the device in many of our courses, and it has allowed us to conduct experiments that were very difficult to do with our past facilities. We are also in the process of purchasing electronics and computers to help with our physics and computer science projects.
Q: What other EPSCoR-sponsored universities have you recently collaborated with?
A: We recently worked with the University of South Dakota to use their X-ray crystallography facilities for our research, and USD’s researchers have also come to Augustana to use our new NMR instrument. We also recently gained the ability to meet with other universities over the internet, and we are thankful that EPSCoR has given us the ability to work on projects and use facilities that were previously unavailable to us. We are really looking forward to collaborating with our fellow PANS researchers as our program continues to grow at Augustana.
For more information on Dr. Eichler, visit his website at: http://faculty.augie.edu/~beichler/
the update reCently had a ChanCe to CatCh up with dr. barrett eiChler, the interim epsCor Coordinator for augustana College in sioux falls, sd. eiChler tooK the time to share with us a little more about augustana’s growing pans researCh group along with some of the latest researCh developments at the College during a brief q&a session.
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Since 2004, Whites has been at the helm of ongoing research projects focused on applications for direct-write printing. The EPSCoR funded research that began in 2007 aspires to develop inkjet printers as a potential means for producing high-efficiency solar cell collector networks. Central to the project has been an advanced PixDro LP50 Desktop Print System that EPSCoR helped secure as part of an ongoing effort to advance PANS research throughout the state.
“Being an extremely broad field, PANS research covers a lot of territory in the lab these days,” said Whites. “As complicated as some PANS technology can be, industrial inkjet printers are proving to be an efficient avenue for quickly manufacturing inexpensive collector networks—our PixDro printer has helped our research team do just that.”
From students to faculty, the PixDro printer has remained a focal point at SDSMT, as the university’s PANS research team continues to research newer, more efficient ways to create high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. This ongoing effort has attracted dozens of researchers from all walks of life since the project’s initial inception.
“We currently have five full-time students, one research engineer, and three faculty dedicated to researching and applying the PixDro printer’s photovoltaic capabilities,” added Whites. “So far we are finding this printer to be an extremely efficient tool for printing solar cell collector networks on an industrial scale.”
The latest in a line of advanced research and development printers, the PixDro LP50, uses a compact design and a flexible print head configuration to let researchers disperse a wide variety of colloids, solvents, UV fluids, and other liquids onto a number of different print surfaces. This flexibility makes it an ideal companion for PANS research, as Whites’ research team continues to experiment with different photovoltaic materials.
“The PixDro printer has helped us discover that printing inexpensive, industrial-scalable solar collector networks is quickly becoming a reality in the research world,” stated Whites. “EPSCoR funding has been absolutely pivotal in helping us come to this realization, and we are very excited for what the future holds for this technology.”
producing SolAr cEll collEcTor nETworkS Through inkjET prinTing
at the Core of the epsCor mission lies an ambition to provide south daKota’s universities with the latest and best teChnology available to help further our understanding of solar teChnology. for Keith whites, a lead researCher at south daKota sChool of mines & teChnology, epsCor funding did just that.
Dr. Keith Whites, Professor and Steven P. Miller Endowed Chair in Electrical Engineering, is an expert on materials characterization and direct-write fabrication at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
The PixDro printer has helped us discover that printing inexpensive, industrial-scalable solar
collector networks is quickly becoming a reality in the research world. EPSCoR funding has
been absolutely pivotal in helping us come to this realization, and we are very excited for what the
future holds for this technology.”
- Keith Whites
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entrepreneurial spirit isn’t taught as much as cultivated.”
He pointed out that students need to be given the resources and connections and mentored toward their goals.
“That’s what opportunities like Launch provide – the connections and encouragement people of all ages need to give them that boost,” Simmons said.
He said that sometimes a great idea sits around for years because of the mentality of “Some day, when I have more time and money, I will be able to do that,” when in reality there is no better time to start working on your dream than now.
South Dakota was rated No. 1 in the nation for business-friendly taxes for the second year running, as reported by the Associated Press in October 2010. South Dakota has no individual or corporate income tax, business inventory tax or inheritance tax – making it an ideal atmosphere to begin and maintain a business.
“That’s why we bring all these amazing speakers together to speak to students from throughout the state,” Pole added. “It helps students to see the big picture – the world beyond the collegiate bubble of classrooms and business plans and they get to talk to people who have actually had experience applying what they’ve learned. The experience helps to reinforce everything we’re saying in the classroom in a way that connects to a younger, faster-paced generation.”
Community members, educators and students were all welcome at Launch. The following colleges sent groups or classes: Black Hill State University, Colorado Technical Institute, DWU, Lake Area Technical Institute, Mitchell Technical Institute, Northern State University, Sinte Gleska
In an economy that has had tough ramifications, there is a statewide conference that encourages students to create their own opportunities. Launch ‘11 – coordinated and held at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell – invited nine national and area entrepreneurs to the DWU campus Thursday, Feb. 24, to share their success stories and offer advice to 300 South Dakota students and educators during the sixth annual event.
“Launch is an opportunity for South Dakota students to gather in one place at one time and gain unbelievable insights into the world of entrepreneurship,” said Rhonda Pole, director of the Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship at DWU, and conference coordinator for Launch for the past six years. “This conference provides an opportunity for students to learn from some of the leading young entrepreneurs in the country and share their own amazing ideas, dreams and unique experiences.”
After Don Jorgensen, news anchor at KELO TV, gave the opening address, the conference kicked off with members of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) getting the audience warmed up and encouraging an open mind for the day’s speakers’ advice.
Keynote speaker this year was Michael Simmons, who co-founded EET with wife, Sheena Lindahl. He also co-founded the first national Future of Entrepreneurship Education Summit in Florida in February with Lindahl and another EET member, Arel Moodie. Simmons has plenty of experience to back up his speech; he co-founded his first business, Princeton Web Solutions (PWS), when he was 16 years old. PWS was later rated the No. 1 youth-run Web development company in the nation by Youngbiz Magazine. He is also an award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author of three books, and in 2006 was named by Business Week as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25. EET has been featured in five books and on the AOL Home Page, USA Today, Inc. magazine, ABC, NBC and CBS, and has received the Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations.
Launch is an amazing opportunity for the whole state of South Dakota to come together to share ideas and experiences and promote an entrepreneurial mindset – which is what’s needed in this economic time to bring more jobs to the state and country,” Simmons said about EET’s third tour to DWU. “I believe that an
300 ATTEnd AnnuAl lAunch confErEncE
Launch ‘11 keynote speaker, Michael Simmons, shared his ideas for inspiration and networking.
Kathleen Wright, co-founder of The Nest Collaborative, talks to students and community members during Launch at DWU.
Launch Continued on page 10...
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Sd igErT progrAm BroAdEnS horizonS for ASpiring grAduATE STudEnTS
as sd epsCor Continues to develop, strengthen and integrate south daKota’s photovoltaiC researCh Communities, a number of exCiting new opportunities are emerging for aspiring graduate students who are interested in learning more about advanCed solar teChnology. one suCh opportunity is the south daKota integrative graduate eduCation and researCh traineeship (sd igert). direCted by dr. mary berry of the university of south daKota, the program offers students an engaging, rotational researCh experienCe during whiCh they reCeive advanCed training on photo aCtive nanosCale systems (pans) teChnology by worKing with a number of south daKota’s most experienCed researChers in the field. the following faq offers a brief overview of the program for students interested in partiCipating in the program:
What is the goal of the SD IGERT program?
The program strives to provide a model for small graduate programs in rural states to develop influential, collective, interdisciplinary graduate programs that are capable of high-impact contributions to solar technology research and workforce development.
What universities are currently participating in the program?
The following universities are currently participating members in the IGERT program: University of South Dakota (Vermillion, SD), South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (Rapid City, SD). Sinte Gleska University, a tribal university out of Mission, SD, also participates in the program through a qualified partnership.
What will students get out of the SD IGERT program?
In addition to networking with the state’s top photovoltaic research groups, students can expect to broaden their knowledge and technical skills on solar technology by mastering new experiences in the field. Furthermore, the program offers invaluable experience for developing and advancing the careers of young researchers.
What are the key elements of the program?
Participants in the SD IGERT program will be subject to: interdisciplinary, cross-campus research rotations; advanced thematic coursework designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds; a student-guided seminar series and symposium; exposure to the global nature and context of solar energy research; internships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; internships in the solar energy private sector; and educational outreach to K-16 students, with an emphasis on outreach to Native Americans.
Who is eligible for the SD IGERT program?
Participants in the program must be American citizens with permanent residence status who illustrate outstanding academic performance. The program also offers special opportunities for Native American and Chicano students through the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SFACNAS). International students may also participate in the program as IGERT affiliates.
Who should I contact to learn more about the IGERT program?
Interested applicants should talk to their advisors and then contact their affiliated university IGERT program coordinators: Ranjidt Koodali - University of South Dakota, David Galipeau – South Dakota State University, Jon Kellar – South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Does the IGERT program offer financial assistance or health insurance?
Yes! Participating students are awarded a $30,000 yearly stipend distributed through the student’s home campus. The stipend goes towards tuition, living expenses, and health insurance, and it is arranged through the student’s campus business office.
For more information, including FAQs, application information, and a complete directory of SD IGERT faculty, visit the official SD IGERT website: http://sdigert.org/index.html
300 ATTEnd AnnuAl lAunch confErEncE
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University, South Dakota State University, University of Sioux Falls, and University of South Dakota. Simmons joined other EET members, Bert Gervais and EJ Carrion. Gervais is a national bestselling author and award-winning entrepreneur who sold his first Internet startup company in 2009 and is a highly-demanded national speaker. Carrion is currently the assistant manager for EET and is an author and co-publisher of internationally recognized brand Collegiate Performance Magazine.
Breakout sessions were run by: Nick Friedman, president and co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, an innovative and award-winning junk removal company; Kathleen Wright, co-founder of Nest Collaborative and sales and marketing director for Nest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries; Dr. David Deeds, the Schulze Chairman in Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas and the director of the Morrison Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Lori Cowman, who works with the Planning and Development District III in Yankton, and was also named Minority Small Business Champion of the Year in 2005 by the South Dakota Small Business Administration; and Belinda Engelhart, regional director of the Watertown SBDC office, one of six Small Business Development Centers in South Dakota.
Three South Dakota entrepreneurs spoke during a Q&A over lunch: Rebekah Scott, owner and designer for Rebekah Scott Designs, which makes unique custom-made handbags and accessories; Luke Schuetzle, a producer, actor and owner of Schuetzle Company Productions and www.1944newsletter.com; and Jenna Aukerman, owner of Coffea Roasterie & Espresso Bar in Sioux Falls.
“A grassroots effort in developing businesses from within our state is a huge win/win for South Dakota,” said Jeff Brusseau, director of the South Dakota Small Business Development Centers. “The Launch 2011 conference helped develop entrepreneurship by focusing our youth on the risk/reward and how-to of expanding their business ideas. The interest and interaction by South Dakota’s youth during the conference was impressive.”
“Launch has become an event that students from all over the state look forward to attending each year,” Pole said. “It is so meaningful to see the synergy that is established through Launch each year. It just keeps getting better and better. The speakers were phenomenal.”
Launch conference partners include: Enterprise Institute, Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship, South Dakota EPSCoR, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, South Dakota Small Business Development Centers, and South Dakota State University Entrepreneurship Program.
...Launch Conference Continued
Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, shared the story of how he and his friend turned their business idea into a success.
South Dakota entrepreneur panelists Luke Schuetzle, Pierre; Rebekah Scott, Valley Springs; and Jenna Aukerman, Sioux Falls, answered questions and shared insights during the Launch ’11 event at DWU.
This past winter, the Pierre capitol rotunda, normally known for its historical architecture and stunning artwork, became a vanguard for scientific research as students from ten of the state’s major universities showcased their experiments at the 2011 Student Research Poster Session of February 24.
In the spirit of the EPSCoR mission, 15 students from a variety of different research disciplines were chosen to participate in the session. “The students were competitively chosen by their respective universities to take part in the event,” said Gary Johnson, system vice president of research for the South Dakota Board of Regents. “Their outstanding work has been carried out under the direction of dedicated faculty mentors, and the experience aimed to enhance their continued professional development, whether they decide to go on to graduate school or enter the workforce.”
STudEnTS ShowcASE rESEArch AT 2011 univErSiTy poSTEr SESSion in piErrE
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Governor Dennis Daugaard joined the student researchers for a photo on the capitol’s grand staircase
SD EPSCoR, SD BRIN, and the state’s six public universities showcased booths at the event.
Charles Halfmann (left) and Trent Harris (right) prepare their presentations for the session.
DSU’s Jesse Paul Mendez explains his presentation on Smart Grid technology to Governor Dennis Daugaard.
The February session marked the event’s 14th anniversary, as students from public, private, and tribal colleges showcased their research findings on a variety of colorful posters. In addition to student research, displays from the state’s six public universities, the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infastructure (BRIN), and SD EPSCoR were also featured.
“These institutions of higher education have greatly benefited from the state’s investments in research,” said Johnson.
The SD EPSCoR booth featured a number of posters outlining the background and core goals of the program, as well as handouts on the program’s recent efforts for stimulating competitive research amongst the state’s major universities. From students to state representatives, the booth attracted a number of visitors throughout the afternoon as some of the state’s brightest young minds interacted with government officials, university faculty, and the general public.
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“When I was a child, I was very fascinated by how a small blue window on a calculator could provide enough electricity for the device to work,” said He. “That fascination inspired me to pursue an education and career focusing on PANS research, and it really opened the door for understanding a field of science that is truly today.” He’s passion for PANS research eventually took him to some of China’s top universities, including Lanzhou University (Lanzhou, China) and Zhongshan University (Guangzhou, China). Following his dissertation and research rotations, He landed at SDSU in 2007, where he now works as an assistant professor and principle investigator for the university’s EPSCoR-supported inorganic and organic photovoltaic materials research group.
The once small research group has now blossomed into a diverse, full-fledge research force that includes six dedicated research assistants, ranging from undergraduates to post-graduates. Their combined efforts aspire to broaden and improve our scientific understanding of industrial solar technology.
“While traditional solar technology uses expensive crystalline silicon solar cells, our group is focused on finding cheaper, more efficient ways to convert solar energy into usable electricity,” stated He. “By focusing our research on photovoltaic materials that are abundant in nature and easy to manufacture, we hope to discover new ways to make solar technology more affordable in a large-scale industrial setting.”
He’s non-traditional approach to researching solar technology aims to create a better understanding of the photovoltaic properties of carbon-rich, inorganic materials. These readily available materials exhibit a number of unique properties, including photo absorption, electron generation, and electron migration. Together, these qualities can be fine-tuned to meet the needs of a number photovoltaic devices.
“We have found that small organic molecules can be used to fabricate a variety of different solar devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells,” explained He. “Particularly, we have found that porphyrin dyes, the same compounds used in nature to harvest sunlight when growing green plants, exhibit great potential for solar power application.”
While the organic compounds provide the absorption properties required for solar energy transfer, He’s research group has found that inorganic nanomaterials, such as titanium dioxide nanotubes, can also provide an efficient means through
SDSU’s Hongshan He specializes in analyzing the photovoltaic properties of organic materials that are abundant in nature.
O r g a n i c P h o t o v o l t a i c M a t e r i a l s : L o o k i n g t o N a t u r e t o E x p a n d S o l a r T e c h n o l o g y
as one of south daKota state university’s lead photoaCtive nanosCale systems (pans) researChers, dr. hongshan he has a seasoned team of researChers worKing with him along with a lab that boasts some of the state’s most advanCed photovoltaiCs researCh equipment. nevertheless, his passion for understanding and improving solar teChnology Came from something muCh simpler.
“By focusing our research on photovoltaic materials that are abundant in nature and easy to manufacture, we hope to discover new ways to make solar technology more
affordable in a large-scale industrial setting.”
- Hongshan He
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which electrons can be readily extracted from organic sunlight absorbing materials. This realization has led to some significant breakthroughs in PANS research.
“On the inorganic side, we have developed a new method for fabricating freestanding titanium dioxide nanotubes. The method significantly cuts down on the time and difficulty it takes to construct the tube arrays, which are normally difficult to make” said He. “On the organic side, we have also developed a method for aligning dye-based solar units that has increased their energy conversion efficiency significantly.”
While energy over-consumption continues to be a big problem worldwide, He’s research has shown that sometimes the path to solving a big problem starts by taking a very close look at the small things around us.
“We are confident that our research on organic and inorganic nanoscale materials will eventually lead to some major breakthroughs in solar technology,” said He. “Ultimately, we hope these breakthroughs will lead to smarter, more cost-efficient solar technology—reducing our dependency on harmful fossil fuels and provide for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.”
He’s graduate assistant, Mukul Dubey, prepares a collection of nanotube samples for electron microscope analysis at SDSU’s clean lab
Dr. He displays an organic, die-based solar module fabricated by one his graduate research assistants.
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O r g a n i c P h o t o v o l t a i c M a t e r i a l s : L o o k i n g t o N a t u r e t o E x p a n d S o l a r T e c h n o l o g y
To view a video profile of He’s work, visit: www.sdepscor.org
As a spectroscopic imaging expert, Smith specializes in investigating new strategies to convert low-visibility light sources, such as infrared radiation, into high-energy light that can contribute to improving the efficiency of photovoltaic devices.
“Our current SD EPSCoR-funded multi-university research team is focused on investigating infra-red to visible upconversion,” said Smith. “While infrared radiation has typically been overlooked as an alternative energy source, when introduced to certain nanoscale materials, the spectrum of infrared light can be converted to create high-energy light that can be readily absorbed by photovoltaic devices.”
Smith’s research on spectroscopic imaging has helped atract a number of aspiring young researchers to the School of Mines and Technology to help further investigate the application of spectral conversion towards improving photovoltaic technology.
“Since b ecoming involved with SD EPSCoR in 2007, our current research team has grown to include five fulltime Ph. D students as well two undergraduate students,” stated Smith. “The diverse background of our multi-university team has helped lead to several breakthrough discoveries towards using up-conversion for improving photovoltaics.”
By using a variety of nanoscale materials to help diffuse low-energy light sources, up-conversion offers an avenue for exploring the photovoltaic potential of light sources that are typically missed by conventional solar cells. In a similar fashion to fluorescent lighting, up-conversion particles become highly active when exposed to certain wavelengths of light, literally transforming invisible infra-red light into visible light.
“By experimenting with different strategies to improve the efficiency of up-conversion nanoparticles, our groups have been able to confirm significant improvements in the efficiency of converting the spectrum of infrared radiation
to better-match the solar spectrum,” said Smith. “By understanding the properties of these materials, we hope to eventually find a way to create low cost, high-efficiency spectral converters that could be applied to help improve the efficiency of solar cells.”
Through the course of Smith’s research, the SD EPSCoR research network has played a pivotal role in connecting Smith’s group with other South Dakota researchers who are also investigating the application of up-conversion towards solar technology.
“Through SD EPSCoR, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Mary Berry and Dr. Stanley May of the University of South Dakota, who have developed a method for synthesizing high-quality, nanocrystaline up-conversion particles based on Ytterbium and Erbium, and the group of Dr. Mahdi Baroughi at South Dakota State University, which fabricates nanostructured metallic substrates which can significantly enhance the efficiency of up-conversion” explained Smith. “Being able to network with fellow researchers throughout the state has vastly improved our research, and we are very excited for what the future holds in this growing area of photochemistry.”
SpEcTroScopic imAging: rEpurpoSing low-EnErgy lighT To crEATE rEnEwABlE EnErgy
with fuel priCes soaring at all-time highs, there has never been a more important time to investigate alternative energy sourCes, and for dr. steve smith of the south daKota sChool of mines and teChnology, that investigation has literally led to an unseen area of photovoltaiCs—infrared radiation.
A look inside Steve Smith’s laboratory at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
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The application of up-conversion is not just limited to solar technology. From fighting cancer cells to creating invisible inks to protect against counterfeiting, up-conversion is emerging as an exciting niche in photochemistry that has countless practical applications.
“Scientists have found ways to attach cancer fighting drugs to the same up-conversion nanoscale particles that we use for improving photovoltaics,” said Smith. “These particles can be injected directly into the blood stream, where they can directly attack cancer cells upon being exposed to infrared radiation… it’s a truly amazing process.”
While there is still much territory to be explored in this emerging field of nanoscience, Smith is quick to acknowledge the important role that funding has played in creating a solid foundation for researching and applying up-conversion in photovoltaics.
“SD EPSCoR has helped fund several bright, young researchers who have made significant contributions towards our work,” said Smith. “Combined with the equipment, networking, and technical resources that SD EPSCoR funds have put in place, it’s safe to say that the future of photochemistry in South Dakota is looking bright.”
Upcoming Events May 16-17, 2011 NSF EPSCoR Project Director/Project Administrator Meeting - Washington DC June 2-3, 2011 South Dakota EPSCoR All Investigator Meeting - Chamberlain, SD Preparing For Life After Graduate School Workshop AAS PANS Review June 8-9, 2011 REACH Committee Planning Meeting - Chamberlain, SDOct 4, 2011 South Dakota/North Dakota Joint Meeting - Fargo, ND
Oct 24-27, 2011 22nd National NSF EPSCoR Conference - Coeur d’Alene, ID
• This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation/EPSCoR Grant No. 0903804 and by the State of South Dakota.
• Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
SD EPSCoR Contact InformationJames A. Rice, Director; [email protected]
