The Research School MatSEC is a graduate school funded by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie. It is an innovative network of research groups from FU, HU, TU Berlin and Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg. MatSEC is a member of the Dahlem Research School (DRS). Doctoral candidates benefit from an interdisciplinary course program in which transferable skills can be acquired.

MatSEC focuses on kesterite materials. These semiconductors are very promising candidates for an absorber material in thin film solar cells as well as for photoelectrodes for Hydrogen evolution from water under solar light. Kesterites are very similar to chalcopyrites. But they are made from non-toxic, earth-abundant and low-cost raw materials. The developments of these alternative materials for renewable energy conversion, based on the use of solar radiation, rely to a large extent on a profound understanding of the multiscale origins of their properties.

The school aims at developing structure-property relations enabling the evolution of tailor- made materials for these applications by combining experiments and theory. It encompasses insights of material science, crystallography, solid state physics, solid state chemistry and scientific computing. This interdisciplinary approach provides many benefits that develop into much needed lifelong learning skills that are essential to a student’s future learning.

Please note: The program website at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin is currently off-line; please contact the program coordinator in case of questions.

Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Technische Universität programme Prof. Dr Susan Schorr kesterite materials, semiconductor, absorber material, film solar cells, photoelectrodes, hydrogen evolution, solar light