Through the lens of a scientist, an engineer, and a technology inventor Professor Bulović will present the solar technology landscape and its potential contribution to the U.S. energy footprint. Sunlight is by far the most abundant global carbon-neutral energy resource known to man, and has the potential to meet our large-scale energy needs, yet less than 0.1% of U.S. energy is provided by solar technologies. Two unfortunate drawbacks of sunlight as an energy source are its relatively low power densities and intermittency. These limit the practical appeal of solar energy technologies and make capturing sunlight on a large scale a difficult problem.

 

The talk will quantify both the sheer scale of energy demand in the U.S. and the potential for solar energy to become a viable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. We will discuss why solar cell conversion efficiency requirements are so formidable, why cost considerations are so stringent, and why high-throughput manufacturing processes are essential for the success of solar technology deployment. Such doses of reality always spur MIT innovation. Therefore, as a glimpse into the world beyond conventional solar technologies, the talk will present the latest MIT advancements of transparent, lightweight and 3D solar cells that enable seamless integration of solar technologies with large built-area environments, for a scalable introduction of solar-enhanced living. Keep in mind that in just one hour of sunlight, the sun’s energy striking the surface of the earth matches all of the fossil energy consumed globally in a year, and you will recognize that our most abundant energy source is still waiting to be tapped.

 

Vladimir Bulović, Ph.D. is the Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT leading the Organic and Nanostructured Electronics laboratory, directing the MIT Microsystems Technology Laboratories, co-directing the MIT-eni Solar Frontiers Center and co-heading the MIT Energy Studies Program. Bulović’s research interests include studies of physical properties of organic and organic/inorganic nanocrystal composite thin films and structures, and development of novel nanostructured optoelectronic devices. He is the author of over 120 research articles (cited over 8000 times) and an inventor of 50 U.S. patents in areas of light emitting diodes, lasers, photovoltaics, photodetectors, chemical sensors, programmable memories, and micro-electro machines, the majority of which have been licensed and utilized by both start-up and multinational companies. He is a founder of QD Vision, Inc. of Watertown, Mass., which is producing quantum dot optoelectronic components; of Kateeva, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif., which is focused on development of printed organic electronics; and Ubiquitous Energy, Inc., which is developing nanostructured solar technologies. Prof. Bulović received his M.S.  from Columbia University in 1993 and his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1998. The recipient of numerous technical and teaching awards, in 2009 he was awarded the Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellowship, MIT’s highest teaching honor, and in 2011 he was named the Faculty Research Innovation Fellow for excellence in research and international recognition.  Most recently he shared this year’s SEMI Award for North America in recognition of his contribution to commercialization of quantum dot technology.

 

About the Walden Forum – The Walden Forum is a free public series that brings people together to talk, listen and learn from one another in a civil environment. It fosters discussion about important ethical, religious, political, scientific, social and other topics in a live-forum setting. Dynamic speakers challenge and expand our views about the world around us and offer the opportunity for an open discussion of these issues in a convenient, local setting. Featuring world-class speakers on great topics throughout the year, the Walden Forum is a non-religious community program supported by First Parish in Wayland and others, and held at the historic 1815 First Parish Meetinghouse at the intersection of Routes 20 and 27 in Wayland Center. For more information go to www.waldenforum.org or write to info@waldenforum.org.