Interests
Solar cells and functional materials; optical spectroscopy and imaging for energy applications; light-matter interactions in energy materials.
Research
The central idea of Dr Nguyen’s research is to advance solar energy technologies through knowledge and scientific discoveries and technological inventions. His research spans from the fundamental to the applied. His team explores the fundamental properties of light-matter interactions in solar energy materials and devices under various conditions. The team works to uncover the relationship between absorbed/emitted light and important properties of the materials and devices, including optical, electrical, chemical, and structural properties. By exploiting these phenomena, the team develops novel device concepts, advanced characterization techniques, and defect engineering routes with applications to renewable energy and material science. His team’s research has been featured by over 100 media channels worldwide. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles in various reputable journals. Dr Nguyen’s projects have been awarded AUD$2.87 million in grants as lead-chief investigator and AUD$3.92 million in grants as co-chief investigator. His projects include: Advanced PV Device Characterisation Cluster, Poly-Si passivating contacts: structures, optoelectronic properties, and defect engineering, and Durable Silicon Perovskite Tandem PV.
Dr Nguyen is looking for talented and motivated candidates to join his team. If you are looking for 1) a world-leading institute in renewable energy to host you and you have had a scholarship sponsor; 2) research collaborations; 3) both admissions and supporting scholarships (you will need an outstanding academic/industry record); 4) any other opportunities, please contact him directly. These positions are available for all levels (Masters/PhDs/Post-docs). Note that renewable energy research is very interdisciplinary, hence candidates from all science/engineering backgrounds (Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Material, Chemistry, or related disciplines) are welcome. In order to receive a response, please ensure that the email is clear, thoughtful, and directly relevant to Dr Nguyen’s research.
Biography
In 2016, Dr Nguyen received his PhD in engineering (photovoltaics) from the Australian National University under the supervision of Professor Daniel Macdonald. In 2017, he was a visiting scientist at the United States’ National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Dr Nguyen received his bachelor degree in electrical engineering from Portland State University, Oregon in 2011 with a GPA of 3.97/4.0. From 2011 to early 2013, he was a product yield engineer at Intel where he received the Intel Global Test Manufacturing Group (TMG) Excellence award in Q4, 2012.
Activities & Awards
Dr Nguyen is the Chair of the IEEE EGS & Photonics ACT Chapter, an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, and the NECTAR (Network for Early Career Academics) Co-chair at ANU. He received CECS’s Dean Award for Excellence in Supervision in 12/2018, was among the top four supervisors nominated for Vice Chancellor’s Award in the same category in 02/2019, and received the ANU-wide recognition Supervisor of the Month 02/2020. He also received CECS Dean’s Award for Remote Teaching in 08/2020 in both individual and course categories. Dr Nguyen received the 2021 Vietnam Golden Globe Awards in Science and Technology for Young Scientists - Vietnamnet (English), Vietnamnet (Vietnamese).