Successfully completes MPhil

Siva Uthayaraj was awarded a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Physics in 2017 under the HRNCET project funded by NORPART. His research focused on synthesis, fabrication and characterization of perovskite solar cells with particular emphasis on the incorporation of carbonaceous materials in perovskite solar cells to improve its performances and device stability.

During his study period, he had visited the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences twice for research stays of six months each. These visits gave him the opportunity to carry out several research activities including fabrication of perovskite solar cells with advanced sophisticated research equipment and characterization of devices and thin films using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), UV-VIS spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and photovoltaic measurements. He has also participated in seminar and workshop learning activities on Nano materials for Clean Energy and Health Applications held at Coimbatore Institute of Technologies (CIT), India in 2020. These opportunities has led him to meet several like-minded researchers enabling him to learn new techniques and improve his research skills.

Siva Uthayaraj successfully completed his MPhil in 2020. His thesis is titled ‘Enhancement in the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells by Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes’.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the HRNCET/NORPART project for providing me with the research grant and the chance to carry out my MPhil study. During this period, I had the opportunity to visit HVL twice for my research stays, where I was able to work on synthesis, fabrication and characterization of perovskite solar cells with advanced equipment.

This was a completely new experience for me not only academically, but also the experience of being in a new country with amazing cold weather. The ice-skating and the interaction with friendly Norwegians are somethings I would cherish.”