Professor Bram Hoex completed a MSc degree and PhD degree in Applied Physics from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands. His PhD work on functional thin films for high-efficiency solar cells was recognised by both the SolarWorld “Junior Einstein” and Leverhulme “Technology Transfer” awards. After completing his PhD degree in 2008, he joined the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) as head of the Photovoltaic Characterization group. From 2012 to the end of 2014 he was Director of the Silicon Materials and Solar Cells Cluster as well as group leader Monocrystalline Silicon Wafer Solar Cells. In 2015 he joined the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE) at UNSW Australia where he currently is Deputy Head of School (Research) and Director, International Strategy. His research focusses on the development and characterization of high-efficiency silicon wafer solar cells, typically working in close collaboration with equipment and solar cell manufacturers to ensure rapid transfer to the PV industry. Currently, he focusses on development and commercialization of high-efficiency device architectures that capitalise on the UNSW advanced hydrogenation technique. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on aluminium oxide for crystalline silicon surface passivation which is now the de facto standard for industrial PERC solar cells. He also pioneered the application of atomic layer deposition for silicon wafer solar cell manufacturing. During his career, he has raised over A$ 50 million in competitive research funding of which A$ 16 million as lead Principal Investigator. He has published over 160 journal and conference papers which have been cited over 5,800 times to date. In 2016 he was awarded the mid-career “IEEE PVSC Young Professional Award” for his significant contributions and his potential as a future leader in the field of photovoltaics and in 2018 he was included in the “Solar 40 under 40” by Renewable Energy World.
Weblinks:
UNSW Hoex Group 