Interests
Crystalline silicon photovoltaics, recombination and trapping in semiconductors, metallic impurities in silicon and their impact on solar cells, n-type silicon for solar cells.
Research
Professor Macdonald researches crystalline silicon solar cells, in particular the following aspects:
- Characterisation, detection and reduction of defects and impurities in silicon solar cells
- Recombination and trapping in silicon
- N-type silicon solar cells
- Low-cost solar-grade silicon
This research is described in his publications.
Biography
Since completing his PhD at ANU in 2001, Professor Macdonald has worked as a Research Scientist at the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), and at the ANU where he has held three Australian Research Council funded fellowships (Postdoctoral fellowship 2003-06, QEII fellowship 2007-11 and Future fellowship 2012-15).
Activities & Awards
Professor MacDonald is the course convener and lecturer for several courses, including ENGN2706 Engineering Research and Development Project (Methods), ENGN3516 Energy Resources and Renewable Technologies, and ENGN3712 Engineering Research and Development Project