Professor Harry Atwater Wins 2019 IEEE William Cherry Award

Professor Harry Atwater, Howard Hughes Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology has been awarded the 2019 IEEE William Cherry Award for major innovations in the progress and future of photovoltaic science and technology.

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The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. This year, the IEEE William Cherry Award recipient will be honored at the 46^th annual IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC). The IEEE PVSC organizing committee established the award, in memory of one of the founders of the photovoltaic field, William R. Cherry, to recognize individuals who have made "outstanding contributions to the advancement of photovoltaic science and technology." The award selection is made by the William R. Cherry Committee, composed of all past general chairmen of the specialist’s conferences and all past recipients of the award.

According to the Committee, Professor Harry Atwater has shown unique insight into photovoltaics research from his first paper in 1982, and has since contributed to more than 450 publications in the field. Dr Pierre Verlinden, Chair of the 2019 IEEE William R. Cherry Award Committee, said, “The passion and creativity of Professor Harry Atwater to improve photovoltaic technologies are widely recognized. We are very proud to honor him with this Award.”

During his career Professor Atwater has focused on two main scientific research themes; photovoltaic solar energy conversion and light-matter interactions in materials. He has created new high efficiency solar cell designs and has pioneered principles for light management in solar cells. Professor Atwater is the co-founder of Alta Devices, a solar technology company in Sunnyvale, California, that currently holds the world record for single-junction solar cell efficiency.

Along with many contributions to the field of photovoltaics, Professor Atwater currently serves as Director of the DOE (Department of Energy) Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, and as the Strategic Director for the QESST ERC program. Professor Atwater received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology respectively in 1981, 1983 and 1987. He held the IBM Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University from 1987-1988 and has been a member of the Caltech faculty since 1988.

Alta Devices CEO, Jian Ding, stated, “Professor Atwater’s vision for the potential of highly efficient, flexible solar technology has dramatically contributed to the progress of our whole industry. We are very proud to have the privilege of working with him both as a founder and as a visionary.”

About Alta Devices

Alta Devices is Empowering Autonomy™ by delivering the world’s most efficient, thin and flexible mobile power technology. By converting light of any kind into electricity, Alta Devices AnyLight™ power technology extends the energy source of a system, and in many cases, completely cuts the traditional power cord. The solution can be completely integrated into the final system, and is ideal for use in small satellites, unmanned systems, consumer electronics, sensors, automotive, remote exploration, or anywhere size, weight, and mobility matter. Alta Devices holds world records for energy conversion efficiency and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. For more information, visit www.altadevices.com. Alta Devices is a Hanergy company.

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