(B-Side: Being for the Benefit of Mr. Perovskite!)

Can we produce solar cells efficient enough to make a real dent in our fossil fuel consumption? In this episode, Jocelyn and Bradley talk with Dr. Andrew Yost, Assistant Professor of Physics at Oklahoma State University, whose research addresses this question. With some judicious cursing, Andrew describes the advantages and disadvantages of various solar cell materials, including traditional silicon-based approaches, a special class of materials called perovskites, and the new promise of quantum dots. He even tells us how we can print our own flexible solar cells at home using a regular inkjet printer! As the friends discuss the “hope and hype” of solar energy, myths about solar cell efficiency, and how science communication will play an essential role in transitioning the U.S. from a fossil fuel society to a renewable energy one, we also learn about Andrew’s journey into science and the most challenging and gratifying aspects of his life and work.

Learn more about Andrew Yost and his research at:

•https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=UDhy5AcAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

•https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew_Yost2

Read more about quantum dot arrays, Perovskite solar cells, and printable solar cells at:

•https://www.jove.com/video/58760/inkjet-printing-all-inorganic-halide-perovskite-inks-for-photovoltaic
•https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01985-y
•https://funsizephysics.com/future-solar-energy-inkjet-printer/
•https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_dot
•https://www.nature.com/articles/nmat4908.pdf?proof=true1
•https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6393492/

Contact Science! With Friends (especially if you’re a scientist interested in a lively conversation about your science and science stories):

●Gmail: [email protected]

Produced by Basement Creators Network
Sound Editing by Vince Ruhl