Dr Ryan Schofield
In 2019, I completed my MChem at the University of Warwick. During this degree, I was involved in research into polymerization-induced self-assembly and developing patterned gold thin-films for photovoltaic window electrodes. Following my MChem, I spent a year in industry formulating banknote coatings. In 2020, I returned to academia to pursue my DPhil at Oxford, co-supervised by Prof. Nicole Grobert of the Nanomaterials by Design group and Prof Hazel Assender at the Polymer's research group. As of 2024, I have now begun a Postdoctoral Research Assistant role supervised by Prof Grobert.
Research Summary
My research focuses on electrospinning nanofibres of photoactive polymers for solar cell applications, often combined with noble metal nanoparticles. Nanofibrous active layers can deliver advantages over conventional thin-films, such as enhanced light-harvesting, charge mobility, and desirable charge dynamics. We are now optimising these systems to generate final OPV device efficiency enhancements.
Research Funding
My research is supported by an EPSRC IAA Doctoral Impact Fund, alongside our industrial partner, Ossila Ltd.
