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Dr. Subhash Chandra

Assistant Professor in Climate innovation

Email: schandra@tcd.ie
Tel:
Office:Room Number 4.20, Aras an Phiarsaigh

Google Scholar ID: Dr. Subhash Chandra

ORCID: Dr. Subhash Chandra

Research

My research aims to achieve a net-zero carbon energy system, reduce GHG emissions, and transition toward a climate-neutral energy system for our low-carbon future to help create a resilient & sustainable society knowledge-based low-carbon energy economy. My research focuses on research themes, including developing Luminescent Solar Devices, Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Innovative Building-Integrated Renewable Energy Systems, and Renewable Energy Technologies Integration within the Community and the Societal Impact.
In the Luminescent Solar Devices, the research developing the luminescence-based solar light management technology Luminescent Solar Concentrator, Luminescent Down Shifting, daylighting, and their potential application in buildings for sustainable energy generation, daylighting and towards healthy buildings and nearly-zero energy building (NZEB) goals. 
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage research focus on capturing CO2 using solar energy and converting it into sustainable biofuel. It removes CO2 to decarbonize the energy production system and atmosphere.
Innovative building-integrated renewable energy systems carry the research on developing renewable energy systems (RES) systems that integrate various renewable energy technologies for a sustainable energy building.
Renewable energy technologies community integration explores integrating renewable energy technologies and solutions within the local communities.

Projects

1. Lumiscarb: €250K Funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in the National Climate Challenge Fund.The project commenced on 1st of January 2023

The Lumiscarb project will develop a solution-focused and nature-based next-generation photobioreactor to capture and convert CO2 into bioenergy using solar energy. Subsequently, bioenergy is into clean and sustainable biofuels.
Carbon dioxide CO₂ is the most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 61.0%. Emissions of CO₂ are primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels in all sectors, energy generation and transportation. Lumiscarb Team hoping, capturing these CO2 emissions, and converting them into sustainable biofuel will help in two folds to decarbonize energy generation systems and difficult-to-decarbonize areas such as freight transport, aviation, and industrial processes.

2. Consultancy Project: Innovation Voucher of € 5000 by Enterprise Ireland. Feasibility study of the development of low-cost pyranometers (measures solar Insolation)

3. PEDAL: HEA COVID Extension Fund of € 32,782 funded by Higher Education Authority, Ireland. The large-scale fabrication testing, optimization of Plasmonic Enhancement and Directionality of Emission for Advanced Luminescent Solar Devices (PEDAL)

4. NAILED: €12,984 funded by Enterprise Ireland, Non-Aligned Optical Element RedIrected Light Compound Solar ConcEntrator Devices”

Postgraduate Students

I currently mentor the following PhD students:

  1. Aaron Glenn, PhD “Optimisation and fabrication of large scale plasmonically enhanced luminescent solar concentrator devices for building integrated photovoltaic application, Trinity College Dublin
  2. Wai Qian Tham, PhD “Energy-efficient Enhancement of Circadian Entrainment Luminance in Low-daylight Conditions by Luminescent Spectral-shifting Devices at Windows” Trinity College Dublin

Past postgraduate students include:

  1. Arunima Sethi, PhD 2019. “Metal Nanoparticles for application in Luminescent Solar Concentrator” School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin
  2. Mehran Rafiee, PhD 2019. “Largescale Advanced Plasmonic Luminescent Solar Devices for Building Integration” School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Completed in 2019

Master and MAI mentored:

  1. Ben Sexton, 2018 “Luminescent Solar Devices for Building Integrated Components”, MAI (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering), Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin,
  2. María Fernanda Ayala Barragán, 2020. “Luminescent Layers for PV Panel Efficiency Enhancement”, MSc of Engineering (Sustainable Energy), Department of Civil, Structural and Environment Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 2020.
  3. Williams Nwachia, 2021 “Optimisation of Organic Rankine Cycle for Low-grade Thermal Energy Sources using Dynamic Simulation Tools”, MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin,2021
  4. Shaakirah Madhi 2022 “MULTIFUNCTIONAL PHOSPHORESCENT LAYERS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT” Master of Science in Engineering (Sustainable Energy) Department of Civil, Structural and Environment Engineering, Trinity College Dublin,
  5. Adrian Quinn,2016. An Analysis of external Lighting in the Irish Defence Forces Training Centre,
  6. Alwin McAdoo, 2017. Repowering of Ireland Wind Farms, TCD
  7. Philip Connolly, 2018. An Assessment of the Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage in Ireland, TCD
  8. Juana Tereza Martins de Assis, 2019. A Scientific Survey of Energy Management in Mobile Wireless Communications, TCD
  9. Thomas Vaughan, 2020. Low-Grade Thermal Energy Storage to Generate Electricity, TCD
  10. Julie Farrelly, 2021, A review of the National Retrofit Programme – The race to B2, TCD

Publications

  • S. Chandra, J. Doran, S. J. McCormack, M. Kennedy, A. J. Chatten “Enhanced Quantum Dot Emission for Luminescent Solar Concentrators using Plasmonic Interaction” Journal of Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, Volume 98, Page 385-390, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2011.11.030

Book Chapters:

  • Y. Jestin, S. Chandra, B. Cass, H. Ahmed, S.J. McCormack, “1.25 - Down-Shifting of the Incident Light for Photovoltaic Applications” Editor(s): Trevor M. Letcher, Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition), Elsevier, Pages 534-560, 2022, ISBN 9780128197349, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00126-6.
  • Chandra S., McCormack S.J., Chapter11-Plasmonic Coupling Enhanced Absorption and Fluorescence Emission in Thin Film Luminescent Solar Concentrator, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings, Springer, Cham., Page, 149-159, 2019, ISBN 978-3-030-18488-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18488-9_11
  • Rafiee M., Chandra S., Ahmed H., Barnham K., McCormack S.J., Chapter 72- Optical Coupling Sensitivity Study of Luminescent PV Devices Using Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Model, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings. Springer Cham, Page 869-877, 2019, ISBN 978-3-030-18488-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18488-9_72
  • Ayala Barragan M.F., Chandra S., Cass B., McCormack S.J. Chapter-Defining Critical Parameters in a Luminescent Downshifting Layer for PV Enhancement, In Sayigh, A. (eds) Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Innovative Renewable Energy, Springer Cham., Page 865-870,2022, ISBN 978-3-030-76220-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76221-6_96.
  • Glenn A., Chandra S., Cass B., McCormack S.J, Chapter-Implementation and Optimisation of a Luminescent Down-Shifting Photovoltaic System for Use in a Compound Parabolic Concentrator, In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Innovative Renewable Energy, Springer Cham., Page 889-895, 2022, ISBN 978-3-030-76220-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76221-6_100
  • Ortega A., Chandra S., McCormack S.J., Chapter-Design and Characterization of a Roof-Mounted Compound Parabolic Concentrator, In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Innovative Renewable Energy, Springer Cham., Pages 875-882, 2022. ISBN 978-3-030-76220-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76221-6_98
  • Saers S., Ortega A., Chandra S., McCormack S.J., Chapter-Compound Parabolic Concentrator Design: Assessment of Performance Enhancement for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems, In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Innovative Renewable Energy, Springer Cham., pp 883-887, 2022, ISBN 978-3-030-76220-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76221-6_99
  • Cass B., Chandra S., Sethi A., McCormack S.J, Chapter-Characterisation of Luminescent Downshifting Layer Effects on Silicon Solar Cells, In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Innovative Renewable Energy, Springer Cham., Page 871-874, 2022. ISBN 978-3-030-76220-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76221-6_97

Conference Proceeding and Papers:

  • S. Chandra, S. J. McCormack, J. Doran, M. Kennedy, A. J. Chatten “New Concept for Luminescent Solar Concentrator”, Proceeding of 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC), Valencia, Spain, Page 759-762, September 6-10, 2010,10.4229/25thEUPVSEC2010-1DV.3.94
  • S. Chandra, S. J. McCormack, J. Doran, M. Kennedy, A. J. Chatten “Fluorescence Emission Study of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dot and Au Nanoparticles for Application in Quantum Dot Solar Concentrators”, Proceeding of 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC), Hamburg, Germany, September 5-9, 2011 https://arrow.tudublin.ie/dubencon2/67/
  • S. Chandra, S. J. McCormack, J. Doran, A.J. Chatten “A Study of Transportation Losses in Quantum Dot Solar Concentrator” Proceeding of 8th Photovoltaic Science Application and Technology (PVSAT-8) Newcastle upon Tyne, April 2-4, 2012, United Kingdom.
  • S. Chandra, S. J. McCormack, J. Doran, “Plasmonic Coupling Controlled Absorption and Emission in Liquid Luminescent Solar Concentrator”, Proceeding of CISBAT Future Buildings and Districts Sustainability from Nano to Urban Scale, EPFL Lausanne, Page 3-8 September 9-11, 2015, Switzerland https://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/213283?ln=en
  • Oliveira, M., Chandra, S., Ahmed, H., McCormack, S. J. "Optimisation of phosphorescent concentration for a luminescent downshifting layer for PV devices", The Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology Conference (PVSAT), April 6-8, 2016, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
  • Sethi, A., S. Chandra, H. Ahmed, and S. J. McCormack, “Gold Nanorods for application in Plasmonic Luminescent Solar Concentrators”, 13th Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology Conference (PVSAT-13), April 5-7, 2017, Bangor, United Kingdom.
  • M. Rafiee, S. Chandra, H. Ahmed, and S. J. McCormack, "Analysis of Luminescent Solar Concentrator Performance Using a Ray Tracing Algorithm: Modelling, Optimisation and Validation"13th Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology Conference C99 (PVSAT-13), April 5-7, 2017, Bangor, United Kingdom.
  • S. Gilligan, H. Ahmed, S. Chandra, S.J. McCormack, Effect of multiple organic dyes in a polymer thin film for luminescent down-shifting layers application, the 33rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition Conference, Sep 25 – 29, Amsterdam. Netherland, 2017
  • M. Rafiee, H. Ahmed, S. Chandra, and S. J. McCormack, “Improving Mathematical Model of Luminescent Down-Shifting Layers by Counting Matrix Material’s Loss Mechanisms”, the 33rd PVSEC European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Sep 25 – 29, Amsterdam. Netherland, 2017
  • M. Rafiee, S. Chandra, H. Ahmed, and S. J. McCormack, "Quantum Dot Luminescent Solar Concentrator: Optimisation of Concentration and Thickness" the 33 PVSEC conference, Sep 25 – 29, Amsterdam. Netherland, 2017
  • A. Sethi, H. Ahmed, S. Chandra and S. J. McCormack, Investigation of enhancement of fluorescence emission of different luminescent species due to Au and Ag NRs for LSC and LDS, the 33 PVSEC conference, Sep 25 – 29, Amsterdam. Netherland, 2017
  • A. Sethi, S. Chandra, H. Ahmed, and S. J. McCormack, "Fluorescent organic dyes in a silicone encapsulant composite for Luminescent Solar Concentrators," 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC), Page 0958-0960, 10-15 June 2018, 2018, Hawaii, United States of America, doi: 10.1109/PVSC.2018.8547330
  • M. Rafiee, H. Ahmed, S. Chandra, A. Sethi and S. J. McCormack, "Monte Carlo Ray Tracing Modelling of Multi-Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Device Enhanced by Luminescent Material," 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC), Page 3139-3141, 2018, Hawaii, United States of America. doi: 10.1109/PVSC.2018.8547436,
  • Anita Ortega, Isobella Reid, Hoda Akbari, Hind Ahmed, Subhash Chandra, Eric Parfrey, Sarah J McCormack "Design and Characterisation of a Roof-Mounted Compound Parabolic Concentrator with Phase Change Material" 14th International Conference on Energy Storage, Adana, April 2018, TURKEY
  • M. Thaherkhani, S. Chandra, M. Ahmadi, M. Nasiri and S. J. McCormack, "Modelling Optimal PV System Sizing for Zero Energy Buildings," 2021 IEEE 48th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Page 2027-2031, 20-25 June 2021, DOI: 10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9518756
  • M. Nasiri, S. Chandra, M. Taherkhani and S. J. McCormack, "Impact of Input Capacitors in Boost Converters on Stability and Maximum Power Point Tracking in PV systems," 2021 IEEE 48th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Page 1004-1008, 2021, DOI: 10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9518903 (ISSN:2473-2001)
  • A. Glenn, S. Chandra, S. McCormack, Validation of Plasmonic Luminescent Solar Concentrator Modelling Software, Proceeding 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Page 457 – 461, 26 – 30 September 2022, Milan, Italy, DOI: 10.4229/WCPEC-82022-2BV.2.53
  • B. Cass, S. Chandra, A. Ortega, S. McCormack, Development from a Small to Large Scale Luminescent Downshift Layer Fabrication on Silicon Solar Cells, Proceeding 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Page 1170 – 1173, 26 – 30 September 2022, Milan, Italy, DOI: 10.4229/WCPEC-82022-4BV.1.3