Supersized Science

Surprising Vortex Behind New Solar Cell and Lighting Materials

2024-06-25

TACC Frontera, Lonestar6 supercomputer simulations reveal topological vortices in polaron quasiparticles

The Supersized Science podcast features research and discoveries nationwide enabled by advanced computing technology and expertise at the Texas Advanced Computing Center of the University of Texas at Austin. Materials called metal-halide perovskites have quickly advanced in the last decade since their discovery as a semiconductor that outshines silicon in its conversion of light into electric current. Simulations on TACC's Frontera and Lonestar6 supercomputers have revealed surprising vortex structures in quasiparticles of electrons and atoms, called polarons, which contribute to generating electricity from sunlight. This new discovery can help scientists develop new solar cells and LED lighting. This type of lighting is hailed as eco-friendly, sustainable technology that can reshape the future of illumination. Podcast host Jorge Salazar, a science writer at TACC, is joined by Feliciano Giustino, professor of Physics and the W. A. ‘Tex’ Moncrief, Jr. Chair of Quantum Materials Engineering at the College of Natural Sciences and core faculty at the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at UT Austin. Giustino co-authored research that discovered polarons in halide perovskites, which was published March 2024 in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences. Supersized Science is part of the Texas Podcast Network – the conversations changing the world – brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. The opinions expressed in this podcast represent the views of the hosts, and not of The University of Texas at Austin. TACC link: https://tacc.utexas.edu/news/latest-news/2024/06/25/surprising-vortex-behind-new-solar-cell-and-lighting-materials/ Music Credits: Raro Bueno, Chuzausen freemusicarchive.org/music/Chuzausen/

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