Jianhui Chen | Energy | Applied Scientist Award

Prof. Dr. Jianhui Chen | Energy | Applied Scientist Award

Professor at Hebei University, China

Dr. Jianhui Chen is a distinguished researcher and academic who has demonstrated significant leadership in the field of photovoltaic technology. Since joining the faculty of Hebei University in 2014, he has built an exemplary career that bridges fundamental scientific research and practical industrial application. Earning his Ph.D. from Hebei University in December 2017, Dr. Chen has amassed an impressive portfolio that includes over 50 peer-reviewed SCI papers published in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and ACS Energy Letters. He has led three national-level and seven provincial-level research projects, showcasing his capacity for high-level scientific management and innovation. His patented work and contributions to technical standards underscore his applied expertise, while his success in achieving 10 million RMB in technology transfer revenue reflects the commercial impact of his innovations. As a Group Leader at the Collaborative Innovation Center of Hebei Photovoltaic Technology, Dr. Chen is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge passivation and interface technologies for solar cells. His combination of academic excellence, applied research success, and industry influence positions him as a leading figure in China’s renewable energy and materials science sectors.

Professional Profiles

Education

Jianhui Chen’s academic journey is deeply rooted in Hebei University, where he embarked on a rigorous path of scientific inquiry and achievement. He joined the university as a faculty member in 2014 and simultaneously pursued his doctoral studies, culminating in the award of his Ph.D. in December 2017. His doctoral work focused on the physics of photovoltaic devices and the interface science critical to advancing solar energy technologies. Throughout his studies, Dr. Chen developed a robust theoretical foundation while also cultivating an applied engineering perspective, blending academic excellence with practical innovation. His education at Hebei University was marked by a multidisciplinary approach, integrating material science, electrical engineering, and electrochemistry. This diverse academic background provided the tools necessary for Dr. Chen to not only pursue high-impact scientific research but also translate findings into real-world applications. In addition to formal coursework and research, he engaged in collaborative projects, workshops, and technology transfer initiatives, further enriching his educational experience. The continuity between his role as a student and as a faculty member created a dynamic feedback loop, where teaching and learning informed one another. This unique academic trajectory has shaped Dr. Chen into a scholar-practitioner who drives both scientific discovery and industrial transformation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Jianhui Chen’s professional experience is marked by his dual commitment to academic research and industrial application in the field of photovoltaic technology. Since joining Hebei University’s faculty in 2014, he has steadily advanced to become a prominent Group Leader at the Collaborative Innovation Center of Hebei Photovoltaic Technology. In this role, he has spearheaded groundbreaking research projects and led cross-functional teams in the development of novel technologies for solar energy systems. His leadership has resulted in the successful execution of three national-level research initiatives and seven provincial or ministerial-level projects. Dr. Chen’s professional portfolio also includes three provincial and ministerial-level awards (second prize), attesting to the societal and technological relevance of his work. He has developed one technical standard and holds an impressive total of 60 patents, many of which have been licensed or transferred to industry partners. This has led to 10 million RMB in technology transfer revenue, demonstrating his effectiveness in bridging the gap between the laboratory and the production floor. With expertise spanning device physics, industrial process integration, and equipment innovation, Dr. Chen has not only contributed significantly to China’s solar technology landscape but has also mentored a new generation of scientists and engineers.

Research Interest

Dr. Jianhui Chen’s research interests lie at the cutting edge of photovoltaic technology, with a strong emphasis on the fundamental physics of organic-inorganic interfaces and their practical applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. His pioneering work on the electrochemical passivation mechanism of silicon surfaces has opened new avenues in improving solar cell efficiency. Motivated by real-world industry challenges, such as edge defects caused by slicing industrial photovoltaic cells, Dr. Chen developed the “passivation liquid laser scribing defect re-passivation technology,” a breakthrough that addresses a critical bottleneck in solar cell manufacturing. He has since designed and implemented mass production solutions and passivation equipment that have been successfully adapted to commercial production lines. Dr. Chen is currently exploring innovative directions such as novel passivation technologies for solar cells and their industrialization; the purification of low-dimensional semiconductor materials and their integration into crystalline silicon technologies; and cost-effective strategies for electrochemical passivation in tandem solar cells. These research trajectories not only target performance enhancements and cost reduction but also aim to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies globally. By blending fundamental science with practical engineering, Dr. Chen continues to shape the future of high-efficiency solar energy systems and energy-saving devices.

Research Skills

Dr. Jianhui Chen brings a comprehensive and refined skill set to his research in photovoltaic and semiconductor technologies. His core expertise includes solar cell device physics, with specialization in passivation processes, interface engineering, and the integration of organic-inorganic materials. He is highly proficient in advanced characterization techniques used to analyze surface chemistry, interface defects, and carrier dynamics, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dr. Chen is also adept in electrochemical methods and laser-assisted scribing technologies, which he has applied to develop defect re-passivation techniques that significantly improve solar cell efficiency. On the engineering side, he has hands-on experience designing custom equipment and adapting laboratory prototypes for industrial-scale production, a skill that has led to the successful commercialization of several technologies. His research is backed by strong project management abilities, allowing him to lead multidisciplinary teams across national and provincial projects. Additionally, Dr. Chen’s publication and patent track records demonstrate his ability to translate technical knowledge into high-impact scholarly and practical outputs. His ability to bridge theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and industrial application exemplifies the depth and versatility of his research capabilities.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Jianhui Chen’s work has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards that highlight both his academic excellence and practical impact in the field of renewable energy. He is a recipient of the Hebei Province Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders making significant contributions to science and technology. Additionally, he has secured funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), affirming the national relevance and scientific merit of his research. Dr. Chen has led three national-level and seven provincial-level research projects, each contributing to China’s strategic goals in clean energy and technological innovation. His contributions have earned him three second-prize awards at the provincial and ministerial levels, validating his ability to deliver tangible outcomes through complex and multidisciplinary research. Furthermore, his success in technology transfer—achieving 10 million RMB in commercialization revenue—demonstrates the real-world impact of his innovations. With over 50 publications in top-tier journals and more than 60 patents to his name, Dr. Chen stands as a role model for researchers seeking to combine scientific rigor with societal and industrial relevance. His accolades reflect a career marked by excellence, innovation, and dedication to public and environmental good.

Conclusion

Dr. Jianhui Chen has established himself as a leading force in photovoltaic technology and materials science, distinguished by his ability to integrate theoretical insight with industrial application. From his early academic training to his current role as Group Leader at the Collaborative Innovation Center of Hebei Photovoltaic Technology, his career reflects a seamless fusion of research, innovation, and real-world impact. His development of the passivation liquid laser scribing technology exemplifies his unique approach: identifying critical industry challenges and responding with scientifically grounded, scalable solutions. His achievements—over 50 high-impact publications, 60 patents, multiple competitive grants, and millions in technology transfer revenue—highlight a career that transcends traditional academic boundaries. Dr. Chen’s ongoing research continues to address the twin challenges of efficiency and cost in solar energy, positioning him as a key contributor to the global shift toward sustainable energy systems. His ability to lead projects, mentor students, and collaborate with industry ensures his work remains both cutting-edge and deeply relevant. As the world increasingly turns to renewable energy, Dr. Jianhui Chen’s contributions will remain vital to shaping efficient, accessible, and scalable solar technologies for the future.

 Publications Top Notes

  1. Title: Solution processable in situ passivated silicon nanowires
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2021

  2. Title: Ferroelectric-like organic–inorganic interfaces
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2020

  3. Title: Carbon Nanotubes for Photovoltaics: From Lab to Industry
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2020

  4. Title: A Polymer/Carbon‐Nanotube Ink as a Boron‐Dopant/Inorganic‐Passivation Free Carrier Selective Contact for Silicon Solar Cells with over 21% Efficiency
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2020

  5. Title: Conductive Hole‐Selective Passivating Contacts for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2020

  6. Title: Front and Back‐Junction Carbon Nanotube‐Silicon Solar Cells with an Industrial Architecture
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2020

  7. Title: Zn(O,S)-based electron-selective contacts with tunable band structure for silicon heterojunction solar cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2019

  8. Title: Establishment of a novel functional group passivation system for the surface engineering of c-Si solar cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2019

  9. Title: Vacuum-Free, Room-Temperature Organic Passivation of Silicon: Toward Very Low Recombination of Micro-/Nanotextured Surface Structures
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018

  10. Title: Polymer/Si Heterojunction Hybrid Solar Cells with Rubrene:DMSO Organic Semiconductor Film as an Electron-Selective Contact
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018

  11. Title: Electron-Selective Epitaxial/Amorphous Germanium Stack Contact for Organic-Crystalline Silicon Hybrid Solar Cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018

  12. Title: Voc transient in silicon heterojunction solar cells with µc-SiOx:H window layers
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018

  13. Title: Hafnium Thin Film as a Rear Metallization Scheme for Polymer/Silicon Hybrid Solar Cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018

  14. Title: Low work function intermetallic thin film as a back surface field material for hybrid solar cells
    Author: Jianhui Chen
    Year: 2018