Solar cells just one of NSF Fellowship winner’s research areas

Working with Professor Harley Johnson, MechSE graduate student Brian McGuigan is working toward improving the efficiency of solar cells. After developing an interest in a new type of solar cell research, McGuigan uses quantum dots as opposed to silicon or other materials to generate electrical power.

"I do a lot of modeling of the solar cells. It's strictly modeling so it is just computational. Computational modeling I use in continuum models and atomistic models, I think those are the two big types," McGuigan said. "I compare the two approaches and in doing so I am laying groundwork for doing simulations of a working quantum dot solar cell."

Most of the funding for his quantum dot solar cells project comes from his National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowship, awarded to McGuigan after a friend encouraged him to apply.

"Bruno Azeredo and I met sophomore year," McGuigan said. "I heard that he was awarded the NSF fellowship so I was talking to him and he was showing me the ropes."

Before the pursuit of his research with quantum dot solar cells, McGuigan researched photocatalysis—a sped-up photoreaction due to a catalyst—which he was able to discuss in his NSF application. As an undergraduate at Illinois, McGuigan worked with MechSE professor Dimitri Kyritsis to expose a catalyst submerged in water to UV cells, which produces hydrogen.

"I did that my junior year," McGuigan said. "That was my first official research project."

When he is not working on research or at school, McGuigan devotes his time to volunteering at a catholic organization in the Chicago area.

"Back home (Park Ridge), I am actually part of the Knights of Columbus," McGuigan said. "They do a lot of volunteer work in the community."

McGuigan and his dad both participate in the Knights of Columbus and develop their own service opportunities. For instance, McGuigan held lectures about ethical practices in engineering.

Besides volunteer work, McGuigan also enjoys pursuing entrepreneurial projects with other professors, including Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) professor Brian Lilly. One of his projects—an idea for which he credits Professor Lilly—was building an irrigation pump for developing countries, particularly in Africa.

"A lot of the means that they have there are hand-powered," McGuigan said. "We wanted a solar irrigation pump. It is still something I am working on up until this day. It is just that most of my life is research now."

According to McGuigan, while the irrigation pump is his broadest impact project, he has about eight other projects lined up. All projects were developed with help from Professor Lilly.

"He is a bit of my idea factory," McGuigan said. "He gives me all these interesting projects."

As for the future, McGuigan hopes to complete his PhD within the next three years and then pursue his entrepreneurial interests with a startup company. And he wants to stay close to Urbana-Champaign.

"I’d like to stay here," McGuigan said. "It’s something so familiar to me because I’ve been here for six years now. I like the environment."