Prof. Francis Dejene

Prof. Francis Dejene Prof. FB Dejene served as a lecturer at both Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Kenyatta University between 1994 and 1999. He is currently aprofessor at the department of physics, UFS (Qwa-Qwa Campus). He graduated for his PhD at RAU (currently UJ), where he addressed the incorporation of gallium and sulphur into CuInSe2 thin film, which was systematically investigated with a view to establish a scientific and engineering base for the fabrication of homogenous CuIn(Se,S)2 and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 quaternary alloys with optimum band gap values between 1.1 and 1.2 eV for the utilization in thin film solar cell devices. He demonstrated that quality chalcopyrite thin films can be produced by simple and reproducible processing technology. This fact is supported by the successful fabrication of a 10.2 % efficiency solar cell. The results obtained have advanced our understanding of this important material system and make significant contribution to the basic knowledge required in exploiting and advancing thin film chalcopyrite technology. He is currently involved with several parallel researches, which are on preparation by simple reproducible processes and characterization of new and smart materials for phosphorescence, photovoltaic, sensors, nanoparticles for energy, energy storage and FED applications. He has presented their research group results at different conferences, both locally and internationally. He has developed collaboration with University of the Western Cape, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret, JKUAT Physics, University of Addis Ababa, Tokyo Institute of Science and Technology, ICTP and Tsukuba University.