Organic Energy Materials
Organic Energy Materials
The Organic Energy Materials research group led by associate professor Audun Formo Buene develops novel organic compounds for energy applications. Organic chemistry is our main tool and the main aim is to engineer molecules to solve new challenges. Currently, the main focus is on synthesis of molecules towards dye-sensitized solar cells and electrophotocatalysis.
We are also leading a research project on ski-snow friction called FramSki, with the aim of making the world's fastest fluorine-free cross-country ski. Our group works on tuning the nanoscale friction by fluorine-free surface modification of of the ski base.
Research
Synthesis and characterization of dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Synthesis of catalysts for electrophotocatalyzed reactions
Molecular engineering of ski-snow friction
People
Dr Audun Formo Buene
Audun is an associate professor at the Department of Chemistry at the Norwegian Univeristy of Science and Technology. He completed his five-year integrated MSc program in Industrial Chemistry and Biotechnology in 2015 with a specialization in organic chemistry. His Master's project was on medicinal chemistry and synthesis of small-molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy under supervision of Prof. Bård Helge Hoff. He then started a PhD in the reseach group of Prof. Hoff to establish the research activity on dye-sensitized solar cells, and defended his PhD thesis in 2019.
He then pursued a postoctoral position at Nankai University under the supervision of Prof. Jinshan Luo, but due to Covid-19, was unable to travel to China. He then started a postdoctoral position (2020-2023) in Trondheim at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the lab of Prof. Alex Klein-Paste where he worked on the ski-snow interface and friction. In 2023, Audun joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as an Assistant professor teaching thermodynamics, before joining the Department of Chemistry as an Associate professor in 2024.
PhD Students
Silje Iren Strøm
Master's and Bachelor Students
Cathrine Bjelland Berg
Erling Løklingholm Leivestad
Synnøve Storstein
Kaj van der Pal
Lab Equipment
The research group is running a laboratory dedicated to organic synthesis. We also have equipment for fabrication and characterization of solar cells, an electrochemical workstation and equipment for photophysical analyses.
Organic Chemistry
We have access to modern facilities for synthesis and characterization of highly specialized molecules. This includes microwave chemistry, flow chemistry in addition to conventional batch synthesis. For characterization, in addition to all the regular spectroscopy techniques we have the FS5 Spectrofluorometer and LC-MS/MS with high-resolution power (Q-TOF).
Photovoltaic devices
Fabrication
Solar cells are fabricated through screen printing or doctorblading titanium dioxide paste on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass. It is fired in a programmable furnace. Counter electrodes can be manufactured by dropcasting a thin layer of platinic acid, or by electrodeposition-polymerization of PEDOT. Solar cell devices are assembled and sealed in a drybox under controlled heating and electrolyte is filled by vacuum backfilling.
Characterization
The lab is equipped with an AM1.5 G solar simulator for device characterization under simulated sunlight. We also have a setup to measure Incident Photon to Current Conversion Efficiency (IPCE).
Electrochemistry
We have a Versastat 5 electrochemistry workstation, and can perform electrochemical experiments on solutions and on adsorbed species. In addition to conventional electrochemical experiments the setup is also able to perform impedence measurements.
Other
Access to infrastructure such as NTNU NanoLab and NTNU Mass Spectrometry Lab
Opportunities
All funded positions will be advertised through Jobbnorge. We welcome applications from outstanding students who have secured their own funding and would like to pursue a PhD or a Postdoc in our group. Also, if you are interested in applying for a funding scheme, feel free to contact us. Below are a few schemes that could be relevant.
Exchange students
Students interested in internships or research placement as part of a degree are welcome to join our group in Trondheim. This can be through programmes such as Erasmus+ or bilateral agreements between NTNU and your home institution. Project topics will be related to the group's ongoing research activities, and the project will be performed independently by the student in close collaboration with other members of the group. Projects can be adapted to your requirements for content and duration. To see if you are eligible for a stay, please see NTNU Echange student information. If you are interested, please contact Audun as soon as possible.
Master's students
In organic chemistry, there are two Matser's programs available at NTNU. There is the five-year intergrated master program in industrial chemistry and biotechnology (MTKJ) and the two-year masterprogram in chemistry (MSCHEM). The master project duration and layout is slightly different between the two programs. Master's research projects are individual research projects that will be designed to fit the group's research activities and focus at any particular time. If you're interested in joining the research group for a Master's project, get in touch early and we'll find a suitable topic for your interests.
PhD Students
You may pursue a PhD degree in our lab if you already hold a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) in organic chemistry or a related subject, and you qualify for admission to NTNU's PhD programme in Chemistry. As a PhD Student, you are a temporary employee of the university, and these funded opportunities will be advertised through Jobbnorge. All applications must be sent through the Jobbnorge portal.
In addition to fully funded positions, we welcome candidates who have secured their own funding to pursue a three-year PhD degree. If you have your own funding, or are interested in applying to a specific funding scheme, please contact Audun with the details and a copy of your CV, to obtain a letter of suppert and guidance through the application process.
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
You are also welcome to join our lab as a postdoctoral fellow if you already hold a PhD in organic chemistry or a related subject. Funded positions will be advertised through Jobbnorge. All applications must be sent through the Jobbnorge portal.
In addition to fully funded positions, we welcome candidates who have secured their own funding. If you're planning to apply for a specific funding scheme, we may support that application. Please contact Audun with a copy of your CV for further details.
Potential funding sources
Fulbright grant to study in Norway
Publications
Highlights and News
June 2024: New laboratory for organic synthesis
We have finally been given lab D2-152 for our synthesis activities. It has seen little activity in recent years, so during the spring it has been cleaned and made ready for activity in August.