Honorary doctorate for Empa researcher Ayodhya Tiwari
Award-winning scientist
Ayodhya Tiwari, head of the Empa laboratory «Thin Films and Photovoltaics», has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Belgian Hasselt University. The appointment follows his great success in the field of flexible thin-film solar cells.
«I feel so honored about this title and I am grateful for the support I have received from so many different people over the years», said Tiwari when he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Hasselt University in Belgium at the end of May. The photovoltaic expert is head of Empa's «Thin Films and Photovoltaics» lab since 2008. «This award is more than deserved,» congratulates Empa Director Gian-Luca Bona. Tiwari's understanding of complex physics has been instrumental in increasing the efficiency of flexible thin-film solar cells to record levels. However, the researcher remains modest: «Such success would not be possible without a team. And we still have a long way to go.»
Tiwari is not only a passionate researcher. His goal is not only to bring the efficiency of solar cells to new heights, but also to establish these systems on the market. Thus he is not only a scientist, but also an entrepreneur - and a successful one. As co-founder of the start-up company FLISOM, he brings the findings of his research to the market.
Bart Vermang, professor at Hasselt University, confirms this in his laudation. Tiwari is considered one of the most important scientists in the field of solar energy, but is also a successful entrepreneur: «In this function he serves as inspiration for young scientists and engineers by motivating them to close the gap between science and industry.»
