Tomorrow's leaders in solar innovation
The climate emergency demands action. See how donor-backed researchers are pushing the limits of solar technology to create smarter, more sustainable energy solutions. It's all part of Sheffield's multi-disciplinary approach to tackling the crisis from all angles.
As a university, we’re meeting the climate emergency with practical, world-class research. This mission is powered by you, our donors, whose support is funding the projects and people that are redefining the limits of solar energy.
There’s a thriving ecosystem here, where engineers, scientists, and policy experts collaborate to tackle the climate crisis from all angles. With the physical infrastructure in place and laboratories operational, the focus has now shifted from the tools to the people.
Dr Robbie Oliver and Dr Alex Ramadan are currently growing their Solar Photovoltaics (PV) research groups by recruiting PhD students and postdoctoral specialists. The team is focused on the tangible hurdles of solar generation, specifically the potential of metal halide perovskites.
New sustainable solutions
Perovskites are a family of materials that can be printed like ink, making them thinner, lighter, and more flexible than traditional silicon. By layering these materials onto existing panels, the team can “turbocharge” their efficiency, allowing a single solar unit to capture significantly more power from the same amount of sunlight.
This approach could fundamentally change how, and where, we generate renewable energy.
As a second-year PhD student, Charlie Nicholls is a vital part of Robbie and Alex’s research team, developing high-efficiency solar materials to transform how we power our world. However, his work is only possible thanks to a donor who shares his passion for sustainability.
Investing in research talent
Inspired by the team’s ambition and the potential impact of their research, the Overli Foundation now co-funds Charlie’s PhD. Despite having no prior connection to the University, Haakon Overli's motivation was simple; he saw the opportunity to support a researcher whose work could contribute to real-world energy solutions — and he took it.
Charlie is thrilled that his research, and commitment to sustainability solutions, is being backed in this way.
A gene therapy world-first
The gift reflects a significant trend: global leaders increasingly looking to Sheffield as a hub for sustainability solutions. Ultimately, the climate crisis will be solved by the experts we train today.
Haakon Overli's support for Charlie’s PhD reflects a belief that combining Sheffield’s research talent with new solar technology is the most effective way to drive change.