University of Lome
Togo
Problem Statement
Electronics and energy access define how people live and businesses operate, especially for delivering essential services such as health and education. This project enhances affordable energy access through materials research and innovation by leveraging the capabilities of quantum computing and machine learning.
Progress Highlights
The project established a robust research group focused on quantum materials at the University of Lome in Togo. Currently, we are training four doctoral researchers and six assistant researchers in the discovery of energy materials using quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Additionally, we have set up the first computing facility at the University of Lome and are enhancing digital and AI capabilities for students and young researchers through workshops and educational programs.
Key Findings
Our key findings include the discovery of three new two-dimensional materials and the development of two highly efficient perovskite solar cells. Notably, these solar cells achieved efficiencies of 33% for single-junction cells and 49% for multi-junction cells, which are the highest efficiencies currently attainable. These findings have been documented in scientific publications.
Potential Impact
The synthesis and characterization of these materials will contribute significantly to the ultimate goal of producing low-cost and affordable solar cells. The research has also had a tangible impact on the host institution by enhancing its research facilities and transferring advanced capabilities in quantum and AI-driven materials research.
Summary
Electronics and energy access defines how people live and how businesses operate, especially for the delivery of basic services such as health and education. This project aims to accelerate the discovery of energy materials and improve the efficiency of nanoelectronics devices for better energy access and low-power consumption of electronics in Africa.
Dr. Katawoura’s research will take advantage of the power of quantum simulations and machine learning techniques to develop predictive models of efficient nanodevices and new materials for energy harvest, and thermoelectric applications such as organic-based thermal coolers or solar cells.
Grantee Description
Dr Katawoura Beltako is an AIMS alumnus, OIST Fellow and currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Institute of Physics at Augsburg University (UNA) in Germany. He obtained his Ph.D. in Nanosciences and Nanoelectronics from Aix-Marseille University in 2018 and his doctoral work focused on the implementation of a computational modelling technique for studying time-dependent electronic quantum transport in complex materials and nanodevices.
Dr. Katawoura’s long-term aspiration is to implement and support the emergence of cutting-edge quantum research in Africa for nanoelectronics applications. He aims to advance a research niche on energy materials discovery and low-power consumption nanoelectronics, train young African scientists, and conduct research informing policy decisions to improve the delivery of energy access dependent basic services such as health and education.
Project: Quantum Simulations and Energy Materials
The quantum simulation project that he is embracing aims to predict the properties of materials and nanoelectronics with molecules as basic functional elements. Molecules have the potential to act as sharp energy filters for electrical currents and could outperform other materials considered for thermoelectric energy conversion. However, there is a clear gap between predictions and demonstrations in the literature studying electronic and thermoelectric molecular junctions. The novelty of his project relies on its capacity to propose nanojunctions beyond current limitations on molecule stability and efficiency for thermoelectric, electronic and energy applications.
Taking advantage of the power of theoretical and AI-based computations confirmed by experimental measurement, this research project focuses on the study of different aspects of quantum transport across molecular junctions and nano-structured materials, ranging from charge to heat transport, as well as excited states and their dynamics. Through the control of chemical synthesis, it will be possible to adjust the electronic and thermal transport properties so that the efficiency of nanoelectronics such as solar cells, thermoelectrics, is greatly increased. Research is expected to lead to a better understanding of thermoelectricity, charge transport at the nano-scale and materials discovery for energy applications.
