Dragica Vasileska, also a professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, is leading a research team developing stronger and more reliable photovoltaic solar cells. Funded by the Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, Vasileska's team will receive $1.8 million over three years.

Vasileka says heat, cold, moisture, humidity, and other environmental extremes wear down photovoltaic solar systems. In order to be truly sustainable, systems must be able to weather all kinds of climates. Her team will investigate what exactly causes the degradation of the cells, then develop prevention methods.