Dr Niraj Lal

PhD in physics, University of Cambridge, Gates Scholar 2012 | BSc (hons), Angus Nicholson Honours Scholar, Australian National University, 2007
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems | Presenter, ABC | Principal, Australian Energy Market Operator
ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics and ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics

Areas of expertise

  • Classical And Physical Optics 020501
  • Condensed Matter Physics 0204
  • Photodetectors, Optical Sensors And Solar Cells 090605

Research interests

Nanophotonics for next-generation solar cells

Biography

In 2012 Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal graduated as a a Gates Scholar with a PhD in physics from the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge. In 2016 he was named one of the ABC's Top 5 Scientists Under 40 for his research on solar cell nanophotonics, and in 2017 got his first gig on ABC TV with Todd Sampson's Life on the Line Series, followed by shows with The Discovery Channel and ABC iView.

He has written two childrens books about science and has taught science at levels ranging from pre-school to post-graduate.  Niraj presented his first Catalyst on ABC TV in 2020 and is the current host of ABC Imagine This, Principal at AEMO, Physics Consultant to the ARC Centre of Excellence for Exciton Science, Visiting Fellow with the ANU Centre of Sustainable Energy Systems, Director of First Principles and Founder of TheKnews.org. Previous jobs include being a long-line tuna fishing boat deckhand out of Coffs Harbour, a bicycle courier in Perth, and Lecturer of the Renewable Energy course at the ANU.  More info can be seen at his website www.nirajlal.org

Publications

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Updated:  19 March 2024 / Responsible Officer:  Director (Research Services Division) / Page Contact:  Researchers