Yannick E
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Princeton University
Expertise
Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Perovskite, Batteries
Bio
I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica where I had very few opportunities for scientific research and exploration; so, for me being able to study at MIT, and Princeton, was a dream come true. During my undergrad, I researched different applications of nanomaterials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes and during my PhD, I studied solution chemistry in perovskite precursor solutions for solar cell applications, as well as solution and laser the processing of solid electrolytes for use in solid-state batteries. I have always been interested in learning new science and solving important problems, especially as it relates to energy and the environment. After having worked on projects related to energy during my studies, I have moved on to working on the environment - specifically direct air capture which is the process of removing carbon dioxide directly from the air in order to reduce and ultimately reverse global warming and climate change. Outside of work and academics, my top interests are sports and being active in general; I love going to the gym, hiking and playing sports like tennis, basketball and especially soccer! I wake up early almost every weekend to watch soccer games. Apart from this, I also like to read, practice Spanish and Mandarin, play video games and travel. I love visiting new countries, however, Jamaica will always be home for me, so feel free to ask me for travel tips!Project ideas
Evaluating technologies for remove of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and/or prevent its release
In 1980 the global carbon dioxide concentration in our atmosphere was close to 340 ppm. Since then, the concentration of carbon dioxide has rise to roughly 420 ppm. The Earth receives warmth from the Sun via radiation, absorbing the EM waves to produce heat. However, the earth also releases radiation into space, a process that regulates the Earth's atmospheric temperature, however, the excess carbon dioxide in our atmosphere acts as a blanket to shield the EM waves sent towards space, deflecting them back to Earth. This process has led to a steady increase in atmospheric temperature - global warming, something we all should be familiar with. There are currently a myriad of effects aimed at reducing and reversing the effects of global warming and climate change, the goal of this project would be to evaluate all the available and upcoming technology related to carbon capture and summarize findings in a review article. This will entail searching for and reading published scientific articles, extracting relevant information while expanding your knowledge and curating an article that evaluates carbon capture technology. Being able to review and write scientific literature will be a valuable skill in college and beyond.
Evaluating the risk-to-reward relationship for implementation of Pb-based Perovskite Solar Cells
In recent years, there has been interest in alternative energy sources, as a result of the detrimental impacts that non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum and coal, have on the environment (i.e. global warming). Photovoltaics has been the leading technology in the drive for sustainable energy sources. It has been predicted that by 2050, wind and solar harvesting technologies will make up close to 50% of the world energy electricity. Solar cells comprising perovskite active layers have been one of the most widely researched photovoltaic technologies in recent years, experiencing the fastest rise in power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of any emerging solar cell technology. Compared to traditional Silicon-based solar cells, perovskite-based solar cells have a smaller materials cost, are able to be processed at ambient temperatures and typically have low, direct and tunable bandgaps. Additionally, while perovskite-based cells have not been able to surpass Silicon-based ones in terms of PCE, tandem solar cells containing both Silicon and perovskite have continued to break records for PCE. The main drawback of perovskite solar cells is that the best forming perovskite chemistries are Lead (Pb)-based. While there are methods available to encapsulate solar cells, commercial implementation of this solar cell technology will come with an inherent risk due to the high toxicity of Pb0. The goal of this project is therefore to evaluate the risk-to-reward relationship for commercial implementation of Pb-based perovskite solar cells. The risk-to-reward relationship may look different for developed countries like the USA versus underdeveloped countries where cheaper solar cell technologies may be more beneficial and desirable.
Evaluating technologies for the production of potable water from atmospheric water vapor
Water scarcity is one of the biggest problems faced in underdeveloped countries and communities. A shortage in the water supply and/or a method to deliver it to homes/villages easily leads to health issues. However, there exists a solution to this issue that can be used anywhere. Solutions can include direct condensation, physical adsorption, chemical absorption etc. The goal of this project would be to evaluate existing and upcoming atmospheric water technologies and summarize in a review article.