Dr. Thomas Surek is known as a pioneer of terrestrial PV research who started his 37-year career with his growth of shaped silicon crystals at Harvard University in 1973. Recently, Surek has been appointed to Magnolia Solar’s technical advisory board (TAB) where he will be able to help the company further its promotion of PV systems as an alternative energy source. His experience in the field includes research at Mobil Tyco Solar Energy and a contributor to the large-scale commercialization of the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) process through his shaped crystal growth of silicon.
Dr. Ashok Sood, president and CEO of Magnolia Solar, stated, “We are delighted to have Dr. Surek join Magnolia Solar's technical advisory board. In the mid 70s, Dr. Surek and I collaborated on silicon ribbon technology for photovoltaics while working together at Mobil-Tyco Solar Energy Corporation (Now Schott Solar). Magnolia Solar will benefit immensely from Dr. Surek's expertise in nanostructure materials, growth technology and innovative concepts to help us accelerate the development of the critical technologies required to produce Magnolia's high efficiency third generation solar cells. Dr. Surek will also be advising us on the development of our intellectual property portfolio and expanding our patent portfolio. Magnolia plans to spend considerable effort writing and filing additional patents to protect our intellectual property throughout 2011 and beyond.”
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Surek joined the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 1978 when it was known as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) and was a program manager during his 29-years of employment with SERI/NREL. During his last two decades at NREL, Surek led the research and development of thin-film PV and was manager of the NREL PV Program for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
After his retirement from NREL in July 2007, Surek has been a consistent proponent and consultant for PV technology. He is the author of over 100 technical articles and reports in crystal growth and photovoltaic’s and holds two patents. He has been honored with the Van Morriss award at NREL, a Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer and an Exceptional Public Service Award from the DOE.
Surek received his engineering in physics degree from McGill University and his PhD and MS in materials science from Stanford University.