A New Trajectory for Space Photovoltaics with Halide Perovskites: Opportunities and Challenges by Asst Prof Jae Sung Yun

03 Jun 2025 02.00 PM - 03.30 PM Alumni, Current Students, Industry/Academic Partners, Prospective Students, Public

Join us in the IAS STEM Graduate Colloquium by our distinguished speaker, Asst Prof Jae Sung Yun from University of Surrey, on 3 June 2025 (Tuesday), 2pm at SPMS LT 5 (SPMS-03-08).

About the talk

Halide perovskites have quickly emerged as leading candidates for next-generation solar cells, offering high efficiency, low production cost, and compatibility with silicon for tandem architectures. These advantages make them appealing not only for terrestrial use but also for powering satellites and space-based solar power (SBSP) systems, where radiation tolerance, low mass, and high power-to-weight ratio are essential. 

This talk will begin by tracing the evolution of photovoltaic technologies in space; from the silicon-based Vanguard 1 in 1958 to today’s high-efficiency multijunction III–V solar cells, which dominate current satellite and deep-space missions. As satellite payloads increase and interest in SBSP grows, there is rising demand for lighter, more scalable, and cost-effective alternatives.

Next, I will spotlight emerging thin-film technologies such as CdTe, CIGS, and especially halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which deliver the highest specific power among PV technologies and show promising resistance to high-energy radiation. However, PSCs still face significant challenges in vacuum, thermal, and light stability, particularly under space’s harsh and variable conditions. This presentation will critically assess their potential and the technical hurdles to their deployment in orbital and space-based applications.

Our Distinguished Speaker

Dr Jae-Sung Yun is an Assistant Professor in Energy Technology at the University of Surrey, UK. His research focuses on the development of emerging solar cells and the nanoscale functional imaging of emerging solar cells. He investigates the factors that limit device performance by correlating nanostructures with their electrical, chemical, and optoelectronic properties.

In the fields of materials science, physical chemistry, and renewable energy, he has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles, cited over 6,400 times. Recently, he has turned his attention to adapting halide perovskite devices for space environments, where extreme temperature fluctuations, high-energy radiation, and vacuum conditions present unique materials challenges. His current research aims to develop high-efficiency, lightweight photovoltaic technologies for space-based solar power and satellite platforms operating in low-Earth orbit and beyond.


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