Abraham Barde

Abraham’s current research interests revolve around facile fabrication and characterization of advanced thin films and coatings for several applications spanning energy and electronic to sensors and biomedical devices. He is extensively exploring innovative process development for emerging environmental energy engineering solutions. However, he often identify as a hydrogenist, focusing on solar hydrogen. His passion for future-fuels is rooted in over a decade-long pursuit of sustainable energy technologies, encompassing both the design and development of materials and manufacturing methods —particularly those that are economically and environmentally friendly.

Abraham completes a PhD in Nano and Functional Materials in 2025, having worked on the "Design and Development of Gradient Aerosol Chemical Vapor Deposition (GACVD) for Green Energy Generation." This research involves the fabrication and characterization of thin films using selected semiconducting materials with tunable functionalities, aimed at enhancing/maximising  multilateral solar energy conversion. Additionally, the project seeks to modify existing thin-film deposition methods to create a novel gradient film fabrication technique, enabling the engineering of optical bandgaps and decoupling key material properties that previously required trade-offs in optimization.

Initially, thin films of ternary compound semiconductor materials were synthesized using a conventional AACVD setup, leading to a new system, GACVD, enabling vertical gradient via computerised compositional control in thin films formation. Thus, overcoming a major limitation of the traditional techniques. This project prioritizes earth-abundant, non-toxic, and cost-effective elements. The synthesis strategy employs dithiocarbamate-based molecular precursors, allowing atomical mixing and crystal growth. This also facilitates a facile, scalable, and efficient deposition protocol.

The potential outcomes of this project include both materials and processes:

• A multivariate, multifunctional, and multipurpose compound semiconductor material
• A modified manufacturing method for high-performance graded thin films

These innovations hold promise for applications across photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, and optoelectronics. But how safe, efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly is this approach? Can it be considered a truly sustainable technology for solar-driven clean energy applications?