Advent calendar - December 19th - Larissa van de Ven

In the Zernike Institute Advent Calendar, we are presenting 24 short spotlights in December. In these specials, we highlight PhD students, postdocs, support staff and technicians of our research groups and team - providing a glimpse into their typical day at work. In Episode 19 meet Larissa van de Ven, PhD researcher in both the Hybrid Solar Cells group of Bruno Ehrler (Honorary professor at the UG) at AMOLF and the Photophysics and OptoElectronics group of Maria Antonietta Loi.

I completed my master’s thesis in the Photophysics and OptoElectronics (POE) group of Maria Antonietta Loi at ZIAM, which opened my eyes to research. I enjoyed the experience so much that I continued to pursue a PhD, working in both the Hybrid Solar Cells group of Bruno Ehrler (honorary professor in the POE group) at AMOLF and the POE group itself, with Maria as my co-supervisor. AMOLF is an NWO-I research institute, focusing on advanced functional materials.

Both groups work on perovskite semiconductors. These are highly versatile materials whose properties can be finely tuned by tweaking their chemical composition. They are easily processable and strong light absorbers, which have made them widely used in cutting-edge optoelectronic and neuromorphic devices. The particular perovskites that I am researching are tin-lead, which offer a narrow bandgap essential for fabricating tandem (two-junction) solar cells that can surpass the efficiencies of current technologies.

In the lab, I’m fabricating thin films through spin-coating. Together with collaborators, we investigate these materials with advanced techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance or transmission electron microscopy in our quest to understand the atomic structure of these alloys better. I feel privileged to learn so many advanced, high-tech techniques to solve challenging puzzles, which makes my job never dull. I love that no week is the same, that there are many different tasks and skills involved, and that I have fun and supportive colleagues at both institutes.

Outside of work, I love meeting new people and exploring different cultures or ways of living, singing in a pop choir, and diving into one of my many DIY home projects.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!

See all Advent Calendar items 2025 here!