Eric Lars Miller
● P.O. Box 62301 ● Honolulu, HI 96822 ● 808-956-5337 w
Education
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu HI (1996)
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu HI (1992)
B.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca NY (1982)
A.B. in Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY (1982)
Technical Qualifications
Photoelectrochemical Solar Conversion Technologies
– (1998-present) Principal Investigator at the University of Hawaii’s (UH) Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in US Department of Energy (DOE) funded research programs to discover and develop new cost-effective semiconductor materials systems for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production via solar water-splitting.
– (2004-present) Co-Chair of the US DOE Working Group on PEC Hydrogen Production: Coordinating collaborative efforts among DOE funded programs to develop viable PEC hydrogen production systems; developing a new R&D approach integrating best-available techniques in materials theory, synthesis, characterization and analysis; and focusing on establishment of standardized methods and protocols for testing and evaluating PEC materials systems.
– (2007-present) Operating Agent of the International Energy Agency’s Hydrogen Implementation Agreement’s Annex-26 on Advanced Materials for Waterphotolysis , coordinating international efforts to develop viable PEC hydrogen production material systems, and implementing the DOE PEC Working Group’s R&D approach on a worldwide scale.
Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Solar Conversion Technologies
– (1998-present) Supervised the specification, procurement, deployment and operations of an automated plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition tool at the HNEI Thin Films Laboratory (TFL) for synthesis of amorphous silicon alloy thin films for photovoltaic (PV), PEC and sensor applications.
– (1998-present) Responsible for the design, deployment and operations of an automated characterization station at the HNEI TFL for evaluating semiconductor films for PV, PEC and sensor applications; including measurements of electrical response under simulated solar illumination, temperature-dependent conductivity, optical absorption / bandgap, and quantum efficiency.
– (2001-present) Collaborated with MVSystems Incorporated in the design, fabrication and testing of amorphous silicon and silicon-carbide multi-junction devices for PV and PEC applications.
– (1998-2001) Collaborated with the University of Toledo in the design, fabrication and testing of amorphous silicon multi-junction devices for PV and PEC applications.
Copper Chalcopyrite Thin-Film Solar Conversion Technologies
– (1998-present) Responsible for the specification, deployment, optimization and operations of an automated physical vapor deposition tool at the HNEI TFL for synthesis of copper chalcopyrite thin film semiconductors, including copper indium diselenide (CIS), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and copper gallium diselenide (CGS) alloys for PV and PEC applications.
– (2007-present) Principal Investigator in R&D programs funded by the US Air Force through the University of Toledo, to develop novel high-performance CIGS-based thin film solar cells on lightweight, flexible substrates for aerospace applications.
– (2008-present) Principal Investigator in an R&D project sponsored by a Major Solar Cell Manufacturer to develop improved processing methodologies for CIGS photovoltaic cell manufacture scalable to the industrial scale.
Technical Qualifications (continued)
Photovoltaic Monitoring and Analysis Activities
– (2005-2007) Principal Investigator in NAVY-sponsored project to collect, monitor and analyze performance data from the 300kW PV installation on the rooftop of Hangar 54 on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii; with emphasis on establishing correlations between PV system performance and the monitored environmental conditions.
– (2007-present) Principal Investigator in the UH collaboration with the Hawaiian Electric Company’s (HECO) Sunpower for Schools Program, coordinating UH engineering students in monitoring and analysis of performance data collected from PV demonstration installations at public schools across the state of Hawaii, and in the development of new web-based data acquisition systems capable of capturing transient PV and environmental data (with 1 second resolution) for installation at SPS sites in support of HECO’s grid impact studies.
– (2007-present) Technical coordinator in HNEI’s efforts to the develop and deploy web-based data acquisition systems capable of capturing transient PV and environmental data at selected PV installation sites across the state of Hawaii in support of grid impact studies.
Solar Conversion Educational Activities
– (1998-present) International Keynote speaker for the promotion of the PEC conversion of solar energy to electrochemical storage media; Instructor in numerous undergraduate and graduate engineering courses at UH, including Alternative Energy Conversion Devices, Semiconductor Device Physics, Semiconductor Device Fabrication, and Senior Design Projects in PV Technologies; Outreach lecturer in alternative energy at grade schools and high schools across the state of Hawaii.
Solar-Stirling Conversion Technologies
– (1984-1991) Active in the research and development of solar-thermal conversion systems for the production of electricity based on coupling solar concentrators with Stirling Engine alternators- at Sunpower Incorporated and at the NASA Lewis (aka Glenn) Research Center.
Experience
– (2006-present) Associate Researcher, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Honolulu HI: Director of the HNEI Thin Films Laboratory, dedicated to the development of cuttingedge opto-electronic devices for energy conversion and other related commercial applications. Principal investigator in the research and development of novel thin-film devices for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, responsible for all related activities including synthesis and characterization of electronic materials, and device fabrication and testing. Other research areas include thin-film development for solar cell and fuel cell applications, and performance evaluation of local photovoltaic installations.
– (1998-2006) Assistant Researcher, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Honolulu HI: Co-founder with Dr. Richard Rocheleau of the HNEI Thin Films Laboratory, dedicated to the development of cuttingedge opto-electronic devices for energy conversion and other related commercial applications. Principal investigator in the research and development of novel thin-film devices for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
– (1996-1998) Post Doctoral Researcher, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Honolulu HI: Developed and tested thin-film catalysts for solar hydrogen production. Designed and developed amorphous silicon multi-junction devices. Assisted in establishing the University of Hawaii as a nationally-recognized Center of Excellence in hydrogen research. Supervised an upgrade of the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, physical sputtering, and multi-source thermal evaporation capabilities for depositing semiconductor and optoelectronic materials.
– (1991-1996) Research Assistant, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu HI: Designed, fabricated and tested novel semiconductor photoelectrode structures for converting solar energy to hydrogen fuel through photoelectrolysis of water. Supervised the design and installation of complex deposition equipment to fabricate novel optoelectronic materials.
Experience (continued)
– (1987-1991) Associate Engineer, Sverdrup Technologies Incorporated, Cleveland OH: Developed data-acquisition systems; designed, installed and tested electronic instrumentation; and ran computer simulations of complex thermodynamic systems for the Stirling Engine Power-Systems Branch at the NASA Lewis Research Center.
– (1984- 1987) Senior Computer Scientist, Sunpower Incorporated, Athens OH: Created and encoded computer models for heat transfer and fluid flow problems relevant to Stirling Engine power systems. Assisted in the development of a microprocessor-controlled diesel combustion unit. Developed and implemented data-acquisition systems for solar-powered Stirling Engine research.
– (1983-1984) Research Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Oak Ridge TN: Developed and implemented stability experiments to parameterize the dynamic properties of UF6 gas in the Advanced Gas Centrifuge uranium enrichment project.
– (19801981) Research Assistant, Cornell University Physics Department, Ithaca NY: Developed and tested microprocessor routines to control and monitor mass-spectrometer measurements of the in situ growth of selective-absorber materials for solar-cell applications.
Selected Publications
– Book Chapter: E. Miller, "Solar hydrogen production by direct photoelectrochemical water-splitting: The promise and Challenge” in On Solar Hydrogen & Nanotechnology L.Vayssieres editor, Wiley, 2009 in press.
– E. Miller, N. Gaillard, J. Kaneshiro, A. DeAngelis, R. Garland, “Progress in New Semiconductor Materials Classes for Solar Photoelectrolysis”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2009. in press.
– E. Miller, B. Marsen, B. Cole , M. Lum, “Low-Temperature Reactively-Sputtered Tungsten Oxide Films for Solar-Powered Water Splitting Applications”, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett., 2006, 9, G248.
– E. Miller, D. Paluselli, B. Marsen, R. Rocheleau, “Optimization of Hybrid Photoelectrodes for Solar Water Splitting”, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett., 2005, 8(5), A247-249.
– E. Miller, D. Paluselli, B. Marsen, R. Rocheleau, “Development of Reactively Sputtered Metal Oxide Films for Hydrogen-Producing Hybrid Multijunction Photoelectrodes”, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 2005, 88, 131-144.
– E. Miller, D. Paluselli, B. Marsen, R. Rocheleau , “Low-Temperature Sputtered Iron Oxide for Thin Film Devices”, 2004, Thin Solid Films, 466, 307-313.
– E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, S. Khan, “A Hybrid Multijunction Photoelectrode for Hydrogen Production Fabricated with Amorphous Silicon/Germanium and Iron Oxide Thin Films”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2004, 29(9), 907-914.
– E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, X. Deng, “Design Considerations for a Hybrid Amorphous Silicon / Photoelectrochemical Multijunction Cell for Hydrogen Production”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2003, 28(6), 615-623.
– E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, “Electrochemical and Electrochromic Behavior of Reactively Sputtered Nickel Oxide”, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1997, 144(6), 1995-2003.
– E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, “Electrochemical Behavior of Reactively Sputtered Iron-Doped Nickel Oxide”, J. Electrochem. Soc, 1997, 144(9), 3072-3077.
– J. Kaneshiro, N. Gaillard, R. Rocheleau, E. Miller, “Advances in Copper-chalcopyrite Thin Films for Solar Energy Conversion”, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells s, 2009 in press.
– B. Marsen, B. Cole, E. Miller, “Photoelectrolysis of Water using Semitransparent Copper Gallium Diselenide Electrodes” , Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 2008, 92, 1054–1058.
– B. Cole, B. Marsen, E. Miller, Y. Yan, B. To, K. Jones, M. al-Jassim, “Evaluation of nitrogen doping of tungsten oxide for photoelectrochemical water splitting”, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2008, 112, 5213-5220.
Selected Publications (continued)
– L. Weinhardt, M. Blum, M. Bär, and C. Heske, B. Cole, B. Marsen, E. Miller, “Experiment-Based Electronic Surface Level Positions of WO3 Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production”, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2008,112, 3078-3082.
– B. Marsen, B. Cole, and E. Miller, “The Influence of Sputter Oxygen Partial Pressure on Photoelectrochemical Performance of Tungsten Oxide Films”, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 2007,91, 1954-1958.
– T. Ivanova, T., K.A. Gesheva, M. Kalitzova, B. Marsen, B. Cole and E. Miller, “Electrochromic Behavior of Mo/W Oxides Related to Their Surface Morphology and Intercalation Process Parameters”, Mater. Sci. Eng, 2007, B 142, 126-134.
– K.A. Gesheva, T. Ivanova, B. Marsen, B. Cole, E. Miller, F. Hamelmann , “Structural and Surface Analysis of Mo–W Oxide Films Prepared by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition”, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2007, 201, 9378-9384.
– B. Marsen, E. Miller, D. Paluselli, R. Rocheleau, “Progress in Sputtered Tungsten Trioxide for Photoelectrode Applications”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2007. 32(15), 3110-3115.
– K. A. Gesheva, T. Ivanova, F. Hamelmann, B. Marsenc, B. Cole and E. Miller, “Metal Oxide Coatings as Working Electrodes in Electrochromic Smart Windows”, ECS-Transactions, 2006, 207-218.
– D. Paluselli, B. Marsen, E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, “Nitrogen Doping of Reactively Sputtered Tungsten Oxide Films”, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett., 2007, 8(11), G301-G303.
– Mathews, N., E. Miller, P. Sebastian, M. Hernandez, X. Mathew, S. Gamboa, “Electrochemical Characterization of a-SiC In Different Electrolytes”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2004, 29(9), 941-944.
– S. Marsillac, S. Dorn, R. Rocheleau, E. Miller, “Low Temperature Deposition of Cu(InGa)Se2 Solar Cells on Various Substrates", Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 2004, 82( 1-2) 45-52.
– R. Rocheleau , E. Miller, A. Misra, “High-efficiency Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production using Multijunction Amorphous Silicon Photoelectrodes”, Energy Fuels, 1998, 12, 3-10.
– R. Rocheleau, E. Miller, “Photoelectrochemical Production of Hydrogen: Engineering Loss Analysis”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 1997, 22(8), 771-782.
– Patent E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, "Hybrid Solid State/Electrochemical Photoelectrode for Hydrogen Production” Patent # 6887728 issued 05/03/05.
– Patent: E. Miller, R. Rocheleau, "Hybrid Solid State/Electrochemical Photoelectrode for Hydrogen Production”, Patent # 7122873 issued 10/17/06.
– Web Site: E. Miller, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/ PBS NOVA “ScienceNOW” “Ask the Expert” 2005.
Professional Affiliations
– The International Energy Association- HIA PEC Annex 26 Operating Agent since 2007
– The U.S. Department of Energy PEC Working Group: co-chairman since 2004
– The UH HNEI Thin Films Laboratory: director since 2005
– The UH Physical Electronics Laboratory: co-director under J. Holm-Kennedy 2005-2008
– The UH Electrical Engineering Department: Graduate Faculty member since 2000
– The Electrochemical Society (Electronic Devices Section): active member since 1997
– The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): active member since 1998
– The International Energy Association Annexes 14 & 20: active member 1999-2007
– The Hawaii State Academy of Science: active member since 2002; Life Member since 2006
Synergistic Activities
– Technical Conference Organization: Organized and chaired the Hu’a Iki Joint Meetings of the US DOE Working Group on PEC Hydrogen Production and the IEA-HIA Annex-26 Experts in 2008 (Honolulu, HI) and 2009 (San Francisco, CA); Organized and chaired the PEC Workshop at the 2006 World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (Waikoloa HI); Co-chair of numerous conference symposia on solar energy conversion, nationally and internationally.
– Technical Conference Participation: Numerous Keynote Speeches, Invited Talks, and Presentations at technical conferences and symposia, nationally and internationally.
– Journal Article Reviewing: Technical referee for numerous articles submitted to a broad range of national and international journals, including: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of the American Chemical Society, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cell, and Applied Physics Letters.
– Technical Proposal and Project Reviewing: Technical reviewer for numerous proposals and projects at: National Science Foundation (NSF), Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP), US Department of Energy Office of Science; US Department of Energy Hydrogen Program Annual Merit Review.
Recent Recognition
– 2008 US DOE Excellence in Research Award for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production
– 2008 Television Documentary Spot on Ted Obringer’s Hawaii’s Climate Crisis
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