D. McLaughlin

I have recently graduated with a Master’s of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) in mechanical and materials engineering with a focus in photovoltaics from Queen’s University.

I received my B.Sc. Honours in chemical engineering in the environmental stream at Queen’s. My research focused on the III-V semiconductor indium gallium nitride (InGaN) for use in photovoltaics. Additional projects include: a technical and economic analysis for a First Nations community to become completely solar powered; and a successful push to make Queen's University deploy rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV arrays.

The completed manuscript thesis entitled "Optical Characterization of Indium Gallium Nitride for Application in High-Efficiency Solar Photovoltaic Cells" is on hold until papers are published

Thesis Outline

Introduction/Background

• Solar PV potential, benefits
• Unique properties of InGaN (varying band gap with composition), its promise as a semiconducting material for PV, multi-junction solar cells

Literature Review

• Summary of previous InGaN work

Methodology

• Procedures and equipment used for characterization of the films using:

• Ellipsometer
• Photoluminescence
• SEM
• SIMS
• EDX
• Solar simulator - photoconductivity

Papers

• chapters of manuscript thesis

Discussion

• Explain characterization results and relate them to advantages/disadvantages for use in PV cells

Future Work

• Cover any lingering problems/difficulties with creating an InGaN cell

Published Papers

Primary Author:

Analytical Model for the Optical Functions of Indium Gallium Nitride with Application to Thin Film Solar Photovoltaic Cells

Leveraging Solar Photovoltaic Technology For Sustainable Development in Ontario's Aboriginal Communities

Co-Author:

Effects of Substrate Temperature on Indium Gallium Nitride Nanocolumn Crystal Growth

One additional paper is under review