Dissertation defence (Materials Engineering): MSc Rustem Nizamov
Time
17.10.2025 12.00 – 16.00
MSc Rustem Nizamov defends the dissertation in Materials Engineering titled “Stability testing of sustainable materials for photovoltaic applications” at the University of Turku on 17 October 2025 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Main building, Tauno Nurmela lecture hall, Turku).
The audience can participate in the defence by remote access: https://echo360.org.uk/section/617029b9-e802-4f9b-94dd-b6abf2d9aaa6/public
Opponent: Professor Francesca Brunetti (University of Rome, Italy)
Custos: Professor Kati Miettunen (University of Turku)
Doctoral Dissertation at UTUPub: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-02-0328-3
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Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Bio-based materials are a promising alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-based products, offering eco-friendly solutions for photovoltaics and a wide range of other applications, including packaging and sensors. Despite their environmental benefits, the long-term stability of these materials remains a critical challenge. Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, in particular, is a key factor that can compromise both performance and reliability. This dissertation investigates the stability of sustainable materials—such as films from wood pulp, self-cleaning fabrics, and next-generation solar cells—under various aging conditions. A low-cost, non-destructive method was utilized, employing digital imaging to track color alterations as a direct indicator of material degradation.
The research evaluates films made from nanocellulose (a wood pulp derivative) modified for enhanced durability and UV-blocking functionality. The addition of natural substances, such as lignin or red onion skin extract, transformed these films into effective UV-blocking layers. This color-based assessment was also applied to photovoltaic devices, color changes were correlated with shifts in electrical performance. While color alteration in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) occurred simultaneously with performance loss, the electrolyte color change in dye-sensitized solar cells served as a predictive tool for degradation, potentially accelerating stability research. The study also investigated zinc oxide-coated textiles for their UV-blocking and self-cleaning capabilities, and developed a 3D-printed device holder to simplify a complex fabrication step in PSC research.
Across all studies, tracking color proved to be a reliable and cost-effective method for monitoring material stability. The findings from this research contribute to the creation of more durable, eco-friendly materials and establish straightforward assessment methods to help ensure that new green technologies are built to last.
The audience can participate in the defence by remote access: https://echo360.org.uk/section/617029b9-e802-4f9b-94dd-b6abf2d9aaa6/public
Opponent: Professor Francesca Brunetti (University of Rome, Italy)
Custos: Professor Kati Miettunen (University of Turku)
Doctoral Dissertation at UTUPub: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-02-0328-3
***
Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Bio-based materials are a promising alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-based products, offering eco-friendly solutions for photovoltaics and a wide range of other applications, including packaging and sensors. Despite their environmental benefits, the long-term stability of these materials remains a critical challenge. Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, in particular, is a key factor that can compromise both performance and reliability. This dissertation investigates the stability of sustainable materials—such as films from wood pulp, self-cleaning fabrics, and next-generation solar cells—under various aging conditions. A low-cost, non-destructive method was utilized, employing digital imaging to track color alterations as a direct indicator of material degradation.
The research evaluates films made from nanocellulose (a wood pulp derivative) modified for enhanced durability and UV-blocking functionality. The addition of natural substances, such as lignin or red onion skin extract, transformed these films into effective UV-blocking layers. This color-based assessment was also applied to photovoltaic devices, color changes were correlated with shifts in electrical performance. While color alteration in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) occurred simultaneously with performance loss, the electrolyte color change in dye-sensitized solar cells served as a predictive tool for degradation, potentially accelerating stability research. The study also investigated zinc oxide-coated textiles for their UV-blocking and self-cleaning capabilities, and developed a 3D-printed device holder to simplify a complex fabrication step in PSC research.
Across all studies, tracking color proved to be a reliable and cost-effective method for monitoring material stability. The findings from this research contribute to the creation of more durable, eco-friendly materials and establish straightforward assessment methods to help ensure that new green technologies are built to last.
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