INTERVIEW

Where do you come from?

Hello I am Abdou Karim Darboe, an IMDEA Nanociencia IDEAL PhD Fellow in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from The Gambia.

What are your main personal and professional concerns?

My passion for nanoscience and nanotechnology has provoked an enthusiasm to play a part in advancing the development of nanomaterials for applications in solar cells, semiconductors, sensors, flexible and portable electronics, etc. The desire is that the materials will be efficient, stable, scalable, and sustainable. Thus, acquiring advanced scientific training in nanoscience is the motivation for the Ph.D. in Nanotechnology for Energy Harvesting.

What does your research consist of?

The focus is on innovative materials for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells. The research consists of the design, synthesis, and characterization of innovative materials for application in perovskite solar cells, bearing in mind that the initiative is to enhance the stability and efficiency of the perovskite material.  It involves the synthesis and incorporation of Hole Transporting Materials (HTMs) and Electron Transporting Materials (ETMs) based on less-studied organic compounds, engineering the structure, composition, and interface to control the low-dimensional perovskites. The research will combine work in the synthetic laboratory, where synthesis of the organic materials will be performed and the synthesized materials will be integrated into a perovskite device in the engineering lab.

What power does nanoscience have to transform the world?

Nanoscience has shown the potential to transform the world of technology. For example, low-dimensional nanomaterial perovskites have enhanced performance in solar cells, sufficiently capturing the sunlight incident on them and efficiently converting the solar energy into usable energy. 2D nanostructured materials for energy storage (supercapacitors) have shown the prospects of greater storage capacity, rapid charging, and longevity. Their integration in renewable energy systems, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles are significant developments in the quest for a sustainable future. In healthcare, the applications of nanoscience could be a game-changing initiative for disease detection and treatment. Diseases can be detected before the symptoms appear, and nanoparticles could be used to deliver drugs at specific sites with little to no effect.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration for nanoscience stems from its interdisciplinary appeal, the potential to revolutionize technology and career aspirations. Nanoscience platforms chemists, physicists, material scientists, and engineers to collaboratively engage in interdisciplinary cutting-edge research, questing advances in consumer electronics, medical diagnostics, etc., and addressing societal challenges such as climate change by developing environmentally friendly materials for energy harvesting and storage.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I wish to continue working in academia. I envision leading innovative research, leveraging the IMDEA experience and nanoscience training to find solutions to societal concerns, and participating in raising the next generation of nanoscientists and nanoengineers.

Why IMDEA Nanociencia?

The appeal to join IMDEA Nanociencia was premised on the fact that it is a center for excellence in nanoscience, evidenced by the state-of-the-art research facilities, research innovations, and a supportive environment for growth, especially for early-stage researchers. Also, I was intrigued by the excitement and challenge of joining an interdisciplinary setting offering scientific and engineering training on PV and solar cell devices headed by the experienced and distinguished Professor Nazario Martin, an experience promising professional growth and transformative career opportunities.

More information on the IDEAL Fellowships Programme 

The IDEAL Fellowships Programme is supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND. Grant agreement ID: 101034431.