Sargent Group Research

From energy access to climate resilience, the Sargent Group’s perovskite research is just one way they’re redefining renewable energy to power a sustainable world

With billions of people still lacking reliable electricity and the world racing to cut carbon emissions, better solar technology isn’t just innovation—it’s impact. The Sargent Group’s research at Northwestern aims to establish a scientific foundation for solar power solutions that are more affordable, more efficient, and built to last—bringing clean, sustainable energy within reach for communities everywhere.

The Sargent Group focuses on advancing perovskite solar cells—a next-generation photovoltaic technique that could transform how the world generates electricity. Compared to conventional silicon, perovskites offer low-cost, highly efficient, lightweight, and flexible solar energy solutions. But turning this promise into real-world impact means solving three key challenges: pushing energy conversion efficiency beyond current limits, improving operational durability, and ensuring the scalability of manufacturing and deployment.

To meet these goals, the team designs tandem solar architectures that stack multiple light-absorbing layers to capture more of the solar spectrum—unlocking performance levels beyond what today’s single-junction technologies can achieve. At the same time, they develop molecular-scale “shields” that protect the fragile perovskite material from heat, moisture, and light-induced damage, stabilizing its structure down to the atomic level. From lab-scale prototypes to industrially relevant modules, the team’s efforts also include scalable materials development and manufacturing methods—bridging the gap between high-performance research and practical implementation. These innovations, combining chemistry, materials science, and data-driven design, have enabled them to repeatedly break world records in efficiency and stability—laying the scientific and technological groundwork for photovoltaic systems that are not only high-performing, but also durable and widely accessible.

 Imagine a future where thin, lightweight, and high-efficiency solar panels power not just homes and cities, but contribute meaningfully to replacing fossil fuels in the global energy mix. That future begins with materials breakthroughs—and it’s being built now.

Real World Applications

The Sargent Group’s research at Northwestern aims to establish a scientific foundation for solar power solutions that are more affordable, more efficient, and built to last