Collaboration between scientists from the different research fields results in the improvement of the quality of science and contributes to the dissemination of research results. The Baltic-German University Liaison Office supports projects that promote scientific collaboration between the academic institutions of Germany and the Baltic States. During the activities of such a project, the researchers of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) representing the research group “Chemistry of Materials” together with the researchers of Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg (JMU) are involved in the development of organic charge-transporting materials for photovoltaic cells.
“Photovoltaic cell technology is one of the most interesting and promising energy technologies in which sunlight is converted into electricity. This field is dynamic and requires different competencies, from chemistry and chemical engineering to materials science and device engineering,” – the head of the research group prof. Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius says about the project.
Scientists from all over the world are collaborating to develop more efficient and greener photovoltaic cells.
“The chemists from research group “Chemistry of Materials”, KTU have accumulated a great deal of experience in the development of organic semiconductors. Collaboration with the physicists from JMU provides an opportunity to test the synthesized compounds as charge-transporting materials in photovoltaic cells,” – mentions prof. Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius
The visits of researchers of the collaborating research groups to the partner universities were organized to ensure the smooth implementation of the project. The physicists from JMU attended the international conference organized by KTU, where prof. Vladimir Dyakonov gave an invited presentation and, in this way, provided valuable knowledge not only for the project partners, but also for the other participants of the conference.
The chemists from KTU visited the laboratories of JMU, where they got acquainted with the equipment used to fabricate and investigate photovoltaic cells and with the newest research directions of the research group of prof. Vladimir Dyakonov.
“During the visit, KTU researchers gave presentations on the organic semiconductors developed and synthesized during the implementation of the project and discussed with the JMU researchers on the dependence of the properties of organic semiconductors on their structures, – explains the member of the scientific group dr. Viktorija Andrulevičienė.
The mutual visits of the researchers to the project partner universities gave them opportunity to gain experience, acquire new skills and communicate with the researchers from other scientific fields.
“The collaboration between KTU and JMU researchers strengthens their scientific potential. Importantly, the successful implementation of the project can contribute to the priority of European Commission of being the first climate-neutral continent with a modern and resource-efficient economy, – emphasizes the importance of the project dr. Viktorija Andrulevičienė.
This project of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic Germany.
