Alumni Updates

Bradley Kirk – Material scientist in sustainable energy

2018 Playford Trust Honours Scholarship / 2020 Playford Trust PhD scholarship

Bradley is a material scientist who currently specialises in the development of organic and inorganic-based semiconductors specifically geared towards energy production. He has collaborated with research teams and industry partners based in Australia and internationally.

In 2020, Bradley embarked on his doctoral journey at Flinders University and was involved in the scalable fabrication of next-generation photovoltaics. These cutting-edge devices, capable of directly converting sunlight into electricity, hold the potential to impact the renewable energy landscape.

Throughout his time at Flinders, Bradley has enhanced his skills in thin-film fabrication and characterisation techniques, while gaining an understanding of the challenges associated with translating laboratory-based processes into viable industrial manufacturing methods.

He is currently working at the University of Adelaide, where he is involved with development of a beta-voltaic power generator, a device that converts beta radiation emission into power. In partnership with EntX, a dynamic Adelaide-based company at the forefront of the energy and medical sectors, and the University of South Australia, the project aims to develop the beta-voltaic towards prototyping.

Bradley received a 2018 Playford Trust Honours Scholarship and a 2020 Playford Trust PhD scholarship while at Flinders University. They enabled him to focus on his research projects – and gave him opportunities to present his research in front of internationally-recognised researchers.

Driven by a passion for sustainable energy production and storage, Bradley has continued his involvement in South Australia as material scientist, pushing towards the development of novel materials and the upscaling of emerging technology.

 

 

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