Faculty and Staff
Christos Ferekides, PhD
Research Interests
Dr. Ferekides research is in the area of opto-electronics with emphasis on thin film
photovoltaics. His research group has worked on thin film PV materials including
cadmium telluride (CdTe) and alloys, copper indium gallium diselinide (CuInGaSe2)
and its alloys, and transparent conductors and buffers. Sponsors of his research
include federal agencies, private industry and international organizations such as
the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation
(NSF), the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of
Japan, the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) of Cyprus, Umicore, Spire Corporation,
Constellation Technology, and others.
Current and Recent Grants
| Title | Toward High Efficiency n-Cd(Se)Te Solar Cells |
| Funding Agency | NREL |
| Amount | $375,000 |
| Duration | 07/2023 – 01/2026 |
| Title | An Organized Revolution for the Professional Formation of Electrical Engineers |
| Funding Agency | NSF |
| Amount | $2,000,000 |
| Duration | 07/2020 – 07/2025 |
| Title | Novel n-type Device Architectures to Achieve 1 Volt VOC in Thin Film CdTe cells |
| Funding Agency | DOE |
| Amount | $1,000,000 |
| Duration | 10/2019 – 09/2023 |
| Title | Understanding and Harnessing Structural Defects, Doping, Passivation, and Alloying to Increase VOC and Efficiency of CdTe Solar Cells |
| Funding Agency | NSF |
| Amount | $225,000 |
| Duration | 09/2017 – 08/2020 |
Biography
Dr. Ferekides received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of South
Florida (USF) in 1991.
He is currently a professor and chair of the Electrical Engineering Department at
USF.
Teaching
- EGN 3373 Electrical Systems I
A first course in electrical systems: AC/DC circuit analysis, electronics (diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers), digital circuits (logic gates, K-maps), control systems concepts (final value theorem), electrical safety, and AC power - EEE 3302 Electronics 1
A course in the physical principles of electronic devices with emphasis on semi-conductor electronics. Includes the analysis and design of amplifiers and switching circuits. - EEE 3394 Electrical Engineering Science I - Electronic Materials
This course provides electrical and computer engineering students with a strong background in material science and quantum physics as they relate to electrical/electronic material and device properties and applications. - EEL 3115L Laboratory I
Basic circuit theory applications; computer-aided design tools, electrical measurement techniques. - EEE 6354 Semiconductor Device Physics Foundations
This is the first module in a sequence of modules which address the topic of Semiconductor Device Theory. Its objective is to provide the Physics foundations needed to develop and understand the operating principles of semiconductor devices. - EEE 6352 Electronic Materials, Defects, and Junctions
This course addresses the fundamental properties of electronic materials used to fabricate semiconductor devices. The objective is to understand these properties and be able to manipulate them to provide the full range of options for fabricating devices. The effect of defects on these properties is discussed. Contacts between materials and junction formation is then addressed.
People
Former PhD Students
- Chih-An Hsu (PhD EE 2019)
- Shamara Collins (PhD EE, 2018)
- Imran Khan (PhD EE 2017)
- Vamsi Evani (PhD EE 2017)
- Vassilios Palekis (PhD EE 2010)
- Deidra Hodges(PhD EE 2009)
- Hehong Zhao, (PhD EE 2008)
- Bhaskar Tetali, (PhD EE - 2001)
- Vijay Viswanathan, (PhD EE 2001)
- Robert Mamazza (PhD ES - 2003)
- Igor Tarasov, (PhD EE)
- Valery Komin (PhDEE - 2001)
- Zhiyong Zhao (PhD EE - 2000)
- Dmitriy Marinsky, (PhD EE - 1998)
Post-Doctoral Fellows
- Iuliana Caraman; Visiting Fulbright Scholar; 2015-2016
- Sergiu Vatavu; Visiting Fulbright Scholar; 2013-2014
- Xianjin Feng; 2011-2013
- Dongna Shen; 2009-2011
- Nowshad Amin; 2000-2001