Our vision and mission
Semiconductor Photonics and Electronics Lab (SPELL) focuses on the development of innovative photonic semiconductor materials and their applications to next-generation LEDs/solar cells/neuromorphic devices. Our research aims to practically contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality and the development of the high-tech future industry.
1) Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are highly energy efficient compared to conventional incandescent or fluorescent lamps. Although OLED and QLED occupy the current display market, it is necessary to develop a next-generation LED that can realize more natural color at low cost. Thus, we develop high-efficiency and stable perovskite LEDs using organic/inorganic metal halide perovskites that have excellent optoelectronic properties and high color purity.
2) Perovskite solar cells achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.7% which is very close to that of Si solar cells (26.1%). However, their short lifetime is an obstacle to commercialization. Thus, we develop high-efficiency and stable perovskite solar cells through defect engineering of perovskite materials and interfacial engineering of devices.
3) In the present era of big data, the von Neumann computing is power-hungry. Therefore, it is essential to develop a new energy-efficient computing architecture that mimics the human brain, called neuromorphic computing. A perovskite memristor that has peculiar ionic behavior is a powerful candidate for ultra-low-power neuromorphic semiconductor devices. We aim to develop perovskite artificial neurons and synapses for the next-generation neuromorphic computing devices.
4) The form factor of electronic devices has been evolving into flexible and wearable forms. We employ carbon materials (e.g. graphene) and conducting polymer and engineer their physical/chemical/mechanical properties in order to apply them as flexible/stretchable electrodes to various electronic devices, which will be applied to future smart electronics.
