Prof. Francisco is visiting IITB from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile for a week and will be giving a Seminar talk titled "Harnessing photonics for solar and thermal energy management and conversion".

 

 

Title: Harnessing photonics for solar and thermal energy management and conversion

Venue: ME Auditorium, Monday, Jan 6, 15:00-16:00

 

Abstract: With the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, photonics offers a transformative approach to managing thermal radiation and enhancing energy conversion processes. This seminar explores cutting-edge developments in photonics, focusing on its applications in passive radiative cooling (PRC) and solar fuel generation. PRC materials, designed to harness the selective radiative cooling effect, offer a sustainable approach to decarbonizing cooling systems, with significant implications for industries like mining and urban cooling. We discuss the engineering of wavelength-sized structures, smart thermal radiators with self-adaptive properties, and their applications in high-temperature and fluctuating environments. Transitioning to solar fuels, the talk delves into nanostructured photoelectrodes and plasmon-induced hot carrier generation, offering insights into how photonics can improve the efficiency of photoelectrochemical systems. These advancements demonstrate the integration of photonics with sustainable energy solutions to address global energy challenges.

 

Bio: Francisco V. Ramirez-Cuevas is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile. He specializes in computational photonics applied to solar energy conversion technologies, with a focus on disordered photonics for thermal radiation management and energy systems. Dr. Ramirez-Cuevas completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in 2017, where his research focused on nanoscale electromagnetic interactions, including near-field thermal radiation between graphene nanostructures and plasmon-induced solar photochemistry in metallic nanoparticles. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Ramirez-Cuevas conducted postdoctoral research at the Photonics Innovation Lab at University College London, where he developed thermochromic materials for passive radiative cooling and smart windows. His work has been featured in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications and ACS Photonics. Recognized for his dedication to education, he has received multiple teaching awards and is consistently rated as one of the top instructors in Mechanical Engineering. With a strong commitment to education and innovation, Dr. Ramirez-Cuevas bridges academic research and practical applications in sustainable energy technologies.