The scholarship is a recognition of Huotian Zhang’s work in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), a solar energy technology based on organic materials that are flexible, lightweight, and more environmentally friendly than traditional silicon solar cells.
“My research focuses on using organic materials to harvest solar energy,” he says. “I’m especially fascinated by the fundamental physics of how these materials convert light into electricity.”
Originally from China, he completed his bachelor's and master’s degrees at Fudan University before moving to Sweden to earn his PhD in Applied Physics at Linköping University. Since then, he has focused on developing sustainable energy solutions, with a special emphasis on using AI to accelerate the design and fabrication of OPV devices.
One of his most recent discoveries is a theoretical model that can predict the maximum efficiency of solar cells based on light absorption data. He now plans to take this a step further by combining robotic fabrication and machine learning to optimize OPV device performance, an approach that could revolutionize how solar materials are developed.
“I’m truly honored to receive this scholarship,” Zhang says. “It’s a recognition not only of my work but also of the importance of sustainable energy research. I believe the selection reflects how relevant this topic is today, and I’m especially grateful to my mentors, Prof. Olle Inganäs and Prof. Feng Gao, whose support and belief in this research have been invaluable.”
Future plans
As part of his scholarship plan, Huotian will visit Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany, a global leader in AI-driven materials science.
“The visit will give me practical experience in advanced fabrication techniques and help build important collaborations to move the research forward,” he explains.
Beyond its academic significance, Huotian Zhang’s work could play a role in helping Sweden meet its climate goals.
'“Compared to traditional silicon-based solar panels, OPVs require less energy to manufacture and can be applied in more flexible ways. This is still an emerging technology, so there's significant room for improvement, and I believe my research will help accelerate its development and wider commercialization”.
