Kerem Artuk, PVLAB Phd, receives the Claude Nicollier Research Award
© 2026 EPFL
Kerem Artuk, ex-PVLAB, now R&D Engineer in Sustainable Energy at CSEM, has received the inaugural Claude Nicollier Research Excellence Award for his contribution to the development of a record-breaking perovskite–silicon triple-junction solar cell.
The award recognizes Artuk’s work within the European TRIUMPH project, conducted in close collaboration with EPFL’s Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory, CSEM, and 15 international project partners. The research led to the first certified perovskite–silicon triple-junction solar cell with a power-conversion efficiency exceeding 30%, establishing a new world record for this class of photovoltaic devices.
The results were published in Nature in 2026 and represent an important milestone in the development of next-generation photovoltaic technologies. By combining multiple photoactive junctions with complementary absorption ranges, triple-junction solar cells can use the solar spectrum more efficiently than conventional single-junction devices. The achievement demonstrates the potential of perovskite–silicon tandem architectures to deliver higher efficiencies while maintaining a pathway towards scalable and cost-effective manufacturing.
The Claude Nicollier Awards were launched by CSEM in 2026 as an annual distinction recognizing outstanding achievements in research, innovation, and technology transfer. The Research Excellence Award honors scientific or technological accomplishments with significant potential benefits for industry and society.
Artuk emphasized the collaborative nature of the achievement: “This award means a great deal to me. Above all, it honors an exceptional team whose commitment and passion made this work possible. Knowing that our research can contribute to a more sustainable energy future is a strong motivation for all of us.”
The award highlights the value of close cooperation between CSEM, EPFL PV-Lab, and international research and industry partners. It also recognizes the collective effort required to translate advanced photovoltaic concepts into high-performance devices with realistic prospects for future industrial implementation.