Michael Filler, an assistant professor in the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, has been awarded the Early Faculty Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his research into the synthesis of nanoscale semiconductor materials and their application to next generation energy conversion technologies, particularly photovoltaics.

The CAREER Program offers the NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

With Filler’s 2012 award, the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering faculty now includes 14 CAREER Award recipients.

The long-range objective of Filler’s project, “Process-Structure-Property Relationships for Rational Engineering of Semiconductor Nanowires,” is to establish an atomic-level understanding of the chemistry that governs semiconductor nanowire crystal structure and properties, as well as accelerate the timeline for realizing ultrahigh efficiency nanowire-based photovoltaic devices.

“Breakthrough renewable energy technologies could transform our energy systems and dramatically reduce their carbon footprints,” Filler says. “The insight gained during this work will enable the rational design of nanoscale components for next generation photovoltaic devices, making an important contribution to the goal of reducing global carbon emissions.”

Filler’s research focuses on the engineering of nanoscale materials for future energy conversion, electronic, and photonic applications. Additionally, he anticipates the research advancements from his CAREER grant will have applications in fields as diverse as optoelectronics, thermophysics, and photocatalysis.

“I also plan to use the funding to expand educational and outreach activities aimed at preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers for the impending shift to a renewable-based energy sector,” Filler says. He will develop lecture modules incorporating renewable energy fundamentals into the core chemical engineering undergraduate curriculum, create an upper-level comprehensive course on solar energy, and host a summer internship program for local high school chemistry and physics teachers to create solar energy-related learning modules and hands-on demonstrations.

This project was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Award No. CBET-1150755). The content is solely the responsibility of the principal investigators and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NSF.