NEBULAE research project pioneers sustainable lead-free solar cell materials
At the core of NEBULAE is a novel approach to solar energy conversion. Traditional perovskite solar cells primarily absorb visible light, leaving much of the sun’s energy – especially in the near-infrared spectrum – unused. Over the next two years, Dr. Nasser will work on eco-friendly glass materials with embedded ytterbium-doped lead-free perovskite nanocrystals.
"These crystals can convert lower-energy sunlight into visible light, allowing solar cells to utilize a broader portion of the solar spectrum and operate more efficiently," explains Nasser.
The project’s innovations could benefit a wide range of technologies beyond solar energy, including fibre lasers and optical amplifiers. NEBULAE represents a significant step toward a sustainable future powered by advanced materials and smarter energy solutions.
“This material has the potential to reshape multiple industries and support the global energy transition. NEBULAE is an important step toward aligning technological advancement with environmental responsibility,” Nasser concludes.
The research supports global efforts to accelerate the shift to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
NEBULAE project “Eco-friendly ytterbium-doped perovskite nanocrystals embedded in glasses for solar cells” has received nearly EUR 200,000 in funding from the European Commission. The objective of Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. Nasser’s research project is supervised by Professor Laeticia Petit from Tampere University.
