Research Interests and Activities
Professor Heben's group is interested in performing research to facilitate society's transition to carbon-free sources of renewable energy. Efforts are focused on the gap between pure and applied research to maximize the impact of our work. Specifically, we seek to develop and apply new synthetic methods, nanomaterials, and architectures to improve the performance, cost effectiveness, and manufacturability of important energy-related interfaces and devices. A primary research thrust includes the development of new science, materials and concepts to enhance the performance of existing solar energy conversion devices and to permit the construction of new, more efficient and/or more readily manufactured ones.
- Synthesis and purification of carbon nanotubes
- Sprayed nanomaterials for solution processable solar cells
- Fundamental charge-transfer interactions in hydrogenase SWNT biohybrids
- Electronic properties of interfaces formed between liquid silane-derived silicon films and carbon nanotube thin films