I. M. Dharmadasa

I.M. Dharmadasa is a Professor in Applied Physics and leads the Electronic Materials and Solar energy (solar cells and other Semiconductor Devices) Group at Sheffield Hallam University(SHU), UK. He is a popular and distinguished scientist in the area of renewable energy, who has, to date, published over 60 refereed papers, given 72 conference presentations including invited and plenary talks. His research has resulted in several international patents [1] on thin film solar cell devices.

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As recognition of his expertise in this area, he was invited to write a review article on electrical contacts to II-VI semiconductors [2].His recent scientific breakthroughs [1-2], which are fundamental to describe the photovoltaic activity of CdTe/CdS solar cells, were summarised in a "new theoretical model for CdTe”. Based on these novel ideas, he has reported a higher efficiency of 18% for the CdTe/CdS cell [3], compared with 16.5% reported by NREL in the United States. Currently he also focusses on low-cost methods to developThin film solar cells based on electrodeposited CIGS materials,where he has reported efficiency of 15.9% to date, compared with the highest value of 19.5% reported by NREL [4]using more expensive techniques.

In addition to his research and development programme, Dharmadasa is heavily involved in promoting the use of renewable energy in society through The South Asia renewable Energy programme where he was a founder member[5-7].

ReferenceS

1. I.M. Dharmadasa, J. Young, A.P. Samantilleke. N.B. Chaure, and T. Delsol (i) Copper-indium based thin film PV devices and methods of making the same; WO 03/043096 (ii) Thin film PV devices and method of making the same; GB0405707.1-published as 2397944A (iii) Design of II-VI and III-V thin film PV devices; GB0405710.5 - published as 2397945A (iv) CdTe based multi-layer graded band gap PV devices; GB0405718.8 - published as 2397946A (v) Fabrication of Semiconductor Devices; GB0308826.7-published on 20 Oct. 2004 as GB2400725A (vi) Thin Film photovoltaic device and method of making the same, GB 0202007.1

2. IM Dharmadasa. Recent developments and progress on electrical contacts to CdTe, CdS and ZnSe with special reference to barrier contacts to CdTe. Prog. Crystal Growth and Charact. 36 (1998) pp 249-290.

3. IM Dharmadasa, AP Samantilleke, J Young and NB Chaure. New ways of development of Glass/CG/CdS/CdTe/metal thin film solar cells based on a new model. Semicond. Sci. Technol. 17 (2002) pp 1238-1248. ( http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0268-1242/17/12/306/ )

4. X Wu, JC Keane, RG Dhere, C Dehart, DS Albin, A Duda, TA Gessert, S Asher, DH Levi and P Sheldon. Proc. of 17th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. Munich, Germany, 22-26 Oct. 2001, pp 995-1000.

5. IM Dharmadasa. Photovoltaic technology for developing countries; The way forward. Proc. of the workshop on Low Cost Electronic Materials and Solar Cells, Colombo-Sri Lanka, 5-6 March 1997, pp 1-9.

6. IM Dharmadasa. Clean Energy for the future; the role of photovoltaics as an energy source for the twenty first century. Proc. of the workshop on Renewable Energy Sources Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10-11 Feb. 1998, pp 1-6.

7. IM Dharmadasa. Solar Energy for a Healthy Society, Part I, Lanka Outlook, Winter (1997/98) pp 36-37.

11. IM Dharmadasa. Solar Energy for a Healthy Society, Part II, Lanka Outlook, Spring (1998) pp 36-38.