Dr. Brian McCandless is a distinguished Scientist Emeritus at the University of Delaware's Institute of Energy Conversion, where he has made seminal contributions to photovoltaic materials science throughout his distinguished career. Prior to achieving emeritus status, he served as an associate scientist at the Institute, focusing on advanced semiconductor research for solar energy applications. His academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy from the University of Maryland at College Park, which provided the analytical framework for his subsequent transition into materials science. Dr. McCandless has been instrumental in establishing the Institute of Energy Conversion as a world-leading center for photovoltaic research, working alongside pioneering scientists to advance solar cell technologies.
Dr. McCandless's research centers on polycrystalline, thin film and single crystal compound semiconductors for photovoltaics, with particular expertise in synthesis methods, thermodynamic properties analysis, and crystallographic defect control. His work on doping mechanisms and surface passivation techniques has significantly enhanced the efficiency and stability of semiconductor materials used in solar cell fabrication. He has contributed valuable chapters to authoritative publications in the field, demonstrating his recognized expertise in photovoltaic materials science. The practical applications of his research have directly informed manufacturing processes for thin film solar cells, contributing to more cost-effective and reliable photovoltaic technologies.
As a respected elder statesman in the photovoltaics community, Dr. McCandless continues to influence the field through his emeritus role at the Institute of Energy Conversion, offering guidance based on decades of specialized knowledge. His methodical approach to materials characterization has established rigorous standards for semiconductor analysis that continue to shape research protocols in solar cell development laboratories worldwide. The comprehensive understanding of point defect behavior in compound semiconductors that he developed remains foundational knowledge for current researchers working to push photovoltaic efficiency boundaries. Dr. McCandless's legacy endures through the ongoing impact of his scientific contributions and the lasting influence of his meticulous research methodology on next-generation solar energy technologies.
