UHasselt researcher Aslihan Babayigit selected for summit with Nobel laureates

A week-long exchange with Nobel laureates and promising young scientists on important topics such as climate change and energy transition. That honor is given to Dr. Aslihan Babayigit (UHasselt/EnergyVille). The Hasselt-based researcher has been selected to participate in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting that will take place at the end of June 2024. "An incredible opportunity that will certainly have lasting impact on my future research projects," she said.

During the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, about six hundred top young researchers worldwide are invited to Lindau, Germany, together with about thirty Nobel laureates, to discuss their research and new scientific findings in their fields. The congress, already in its 73rd edition, aims to inspire scientists and allow them to exchange knowledge in order to achieve even better scientific research.
"It is a very great honor for me to participate in this congress. The absolute top of science gathers here, and it gives me the opportunity to discuss my research ideas with Nobel Prize winners and other young researchers," said Dr. Aslihan Babayigit of the UHasselt research institute imo-imomec and EnergyVille.

New solar cells

One of the major topics at this year's Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is how to address global energy challenges. And that question is also central to Aslihan Babayigit's research on the material perovskite. This is a very promising material for making new types of solar cells with extremely high efficiency. Scientists worldwide are looking at perovskite to answer the rising demand for solar energy. But the material also has drawbacks and even dangers. For example, the material is not yet stable enough and, in addition, it is toxic.
"That is because of the amount of lead that is in perovskite. Lead is a very dangerous product, whether for humans, animals or plants. In my research within imo-imomec and EnergyVille, I focus on improving the stability of solar cells made from perovskite and how we can minimize the dangers around toxicity," said Aslihan Babayigit, who trained as a biomedical engineer and specialized in solar cells during her doctoral research. "During this congress, this material will definitely be discussed. I look forward to exchanging thoughts on how we may or may not want to use perovskite in the energy transition."

Impact

There will also be theme dinners each evening during the congress, for which researchers can apply. "That evening is then devoted to climate change, nuclear energy or quantum technology, for example. It's a really great opportunity to be able to talk about such exciting topics, which have a real impact on people's lives, with top scientists worldwide."