Dr. FENGZHU LI

Research Assistant Professor

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Against the backdrop of escalating global energy crises and urgent climate action, engineering-driven innovation in renewable energy has become a cornerstone of sustainable development. As the backbone of decarbonization, photovoltaic technologies demand breakthroughs to bridge efficiency, stability, and scalability—challenges where engineering ingenuity is pivotal. My research pioneers interdisciplinary engineering solutions to advance the next-generation perovskite photovoltaics. Through novel materials engineering, including vapor-solid conversion and additiveassisted crystallization, I achieve precise control over perovskite film morphology and optoelectronic properties. Coupled with in situ characterization techniques that reveal how engineered intermediate phases govern performance and defect dynamics, this work enables rational material design with multifunctionality. At the device level, I develop interface passivation protocols, solution-processable charge transport layers, and large-area coating techniques to minimize energy losses while advancing manufacturability. To address operational reliability, I engineer accelerated multi-stress (humidity/light/heat) aging frameworks that decode degradation pathways and extend device lifetimes. Furthermore, my interface engineering strategies suppress phase segregation in perovskites, achieving high-performance perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells. Through the integration of molecular design, advanced characterization, and scalable device engineering, my research delivers robust perovskite technologies that demonstrate the pivotal role of engineered materials systems in accelerating the global energy transition.