About Us > Faculty & Staff > Faculty > Pradeep Haldar

CNSE Vice President for Clean Energy Programs; Head, Nanoeconomics Constellation; Professor; Director of the CNSE Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC); Executive Director of New Energy New York (NENY); Chief Operating and Technology Officer of the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC)

Dr. Haldar Discusses the Nanoeconomics Constellation

Listen to Professor Haldar discuss clean energy innovations at the nanoscale on WAMC's Academic Minute

Watch Professor Haldar's "Inside CNSE" video interview on the capabilities of a secondary ion mass spectrometer

Listen to Professor Haldar's interview on SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

Read Professor Haldar's Nanotechnology Now Web site article: "The Power" of Nanotechnology

Read Professor Haldar's Nanotechnology Now Web site article: Energy Storage Related Research at the UAlbany NanoCollege

 

Degrees:

• Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering and Solid State Chemistry, Northeastern University, 1988
• B.Tech., Metallurgical Engineering, Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, India, 1984
• Executive MBA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1999

Professional Background:

• CNSE Acting Vice President for Clean Energy Programs (2009-Present)
• Director: Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (2001 - present) 
• Founder, Board Member and Executive Director, New Energy New York Consortium (2002 - present) 
• Past Chair, DOE's Clean Energy Alliance (2009-Present)
• Executive Director, iCLEAN, The Clean Energy Incubator at E2TAC (2010 - present)
• Program Manager, Partnership for Innovation (2010-Present)
• General Manager and Director of Technology, IGC-SuperPower, Schenectady, NY (2000 - 2001) 
• Manager, ADS, Technology Development Group, Intermagnetics General Corporation, Latham, NY (1990 - 1999)

Awards:

• Founder, Center for Intelligent Power, in Partnership with CG Power, 2010
• Judge, New York Academy of Sciences, Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, 2008-10
• Member, Senate Executive Committee and Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression and Community Responsibility (CAFFECoR) of University Senate, 2010
• Member, Renewable Energy Task Force for NY Legislator's Energy Committee, 2009
• Founding Member and Governance Committee, NY-BEST (Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium), 2009
• President's Excellence in Research Award, University at Albany, SUNY, 2008 
• Senior Member, IEEE, 2007
• Founder, National Institute of Sustainable Energy, 2007
• Finalist, Small Times Innovator of the Year Award, 2006 
• Promising Inventor Award, The Research Foundation, SUNY , 2005 
• MIKE Award, Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, with Albany NanoTech Executive team, 2005 
• Business Review 40 Under Forty award, 2002 
• Fellow, Institute of Physics, 2001 
• TMS - Structural Materials Division & Electronic, Magnetic & Photonic Materials Division, Exemplary Service as Chairperson, 2001 
• TMS - Certificate of Recognition for services to society, 2000 
• Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 1998-99 
• MRS - Recognition for Service to society, 1994 
• Oxford's Who Who in Engineering Professionals, 1992-93 
• Johnson Matthey Quality Award (R&D), 1988 
• Gustel Giessen Research Award, 1998 
• Three US Patents, four applications pending

Areas of research and interests:

• Industry-University-Government partnerships between academia, universities, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, small and large corporation that foster a robust open innovation ecosystem leveraging state-of-the-art nanotechnology capabilities to enable and shape the future of clean energy technologies that include:
  • Advanced photovoltaics 
  • Advanced energy storage devices
  • Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Applications

Research description:

The integration of nano/microelectronic technologies to energy and environmental technology applications requires multi-disciplinary expertise and specialized technology development infrastructure. Professor Haldar's research focus is to support energy and environmental technology deployment through accelerated commercialization by leveraging partnerships between industry, government and university. The research thrust areas within  Haldar's E2TAC group encompass the following areas:

Advanced Photovoltaics
Until now, solar cells that convert sunlight to electric power, has been dominated by solid state junction devices, often made of silicon wafers. This is now being challenged by the development of a new generation of solar cells, based on thin film materials, nanocrystalline materials and conducting polymeric films. These offer the prospects of cheaper materials, higher efficiency and flexible features. This has opened up new opportunities in solar cell research and development.

Advanced Fuel Cells
Fuel cells generate power electrochemcically when hydrogen rich fuel is passed over an anode and air over a cathode that are separated by an electrolyte. By-products are heat, water and carbon dioxide. The next generation fuel cell that will provide wider and deeper penetration into a full range of market applications will require targeted costs to fall and performance to improve by order of magnitude over existing levels. Long term materials development, integration of design, speed of manufacturing and materials selection are critical in meeting the goals.

Next Generation Superconductors
High temperature superconductors based on YBCO has significant commercial opportunity since operation at temperatures above liquid nitrogen are now possible. HTS conductor can save up to 20 % of electrical output that is currently lost in transmission due to resistance. It also has applications in motors, generators, transformers and fault current limiters. However, the critical current and current density must be increased, while cost needs to be reduced before YBCO will be a cost-effective replacement for conventional materials. E2TAC is focused on improving superconductors.

Advanced Power Electronics
The main goal of power electronics is always to provide power conversion with the maximum efficiency possible. Power electronics is used for inverters and other applications, such as pulsed high-power applications, switches and amplifiers. It has been well known for some time that power semiconductor device performance can be enhanced at low temperatures, especially in the range of 77 K to 200 K, where extraordinary efficiency and power densities can be realized. One added key advantage of moving to low temperatures is to provide device reliability, since intrinsic device aging process is slowed at lower temperatures. Cryogenic operation will enable much higher pulse-power levels, higher output currents, increased safe operating area, improved thermal management, as well as increased reliability and lifetime. Cryo-cooled MOSFETs power amplifiers have lower conduction and switching losses, higher efficiencies, and can be operated at higher frequencies.

 

Research and Business Experience:

• Research, development and deployment of technical solutions and improving performance by accelerating the insertion of nanotechnology into energy and environmental applications in areas including fuel cells, hydrogen economy, power semiconductors, photovoltaics, thermoelectric materials, supercapacitors and superconductors.
• Helped create and manage several innovative initiatives, consortia, centers, technology transfer programs and contracts by collaborating with over 50 universities, industry and government organizations. 
• Served as chair of a national organization, the Clean Energy Alliance established, by the U.S. DOE's NREL, to bring together leading business organizations dedicated to providing financial and business support services tailored to the needs of the clean energy community. 
• Responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with several industrial partners, DARPA, NASA, DOE, NSF, ONR, other federal and New York State Agencies. Received several awards exceeding $30 M to build one of the largest university-based clean energy development centers in New York State. Managed programs with over 60 staff members, students and scientists.

Selected Achievements:

• Established New Energy New York (NENY), a consortium with 45+ clean energy companies including solar and fuel cell companies such as Daystar, General Electric, Plug Power, Delphi, General Motors and MTI Microfuel cells. NENY and E2TAC are at the forefront of business acceleration, technology development, education and outreach activities in several areas of nanotechnology, renewable energy and energy efficiency (solar cells, fuel cells, ultracapacitors, power electronics and thermoelectric devices).
• Partnered with industry and trade organizations to publish an ‘energy clusters report' and ‘commercialization roadmaps' for Solar Photovoltaic and the Hydrogen Economy in New York State to recommend policy, attract investments and introduce incentives for deployment.
• Served as advisory board member and mentor for several start-up companies and venture capital firms including QM Power, Inverters Unlimited, Prism Solar Technologies, Custom Electronics, Starfire Systems, Nextek Power, Earthrise Capital, etc.
• Established a new subsidiary of Intermagnetics (as a spin-off) to focus on the development and commercialization of high temperature superconductor materials and integrated devices that are designed to improve the capacity, reliability and efficiency of electric power transmission and distribution.
• Created strategy and business plan for fast growing subsidiary for spin-off from parent company. Responsible for road show to strategic investors and partners to implement commercialization pathway. Initiated IP portfolio strategy and negotiated exclusive licenses from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bell Labs and others.
• Published over 175 articles in peer reviewed and conference publications with significant technical accomplishments that include: demonstration of 13x improvement in on-resistance for high-performance integrated power modules to be used in a cryogenic inverter; preparation of new nanostructured platinum electrodes by a nanotemplating based electro-deposition process to be used as catalysts in electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells; and demonstration if a novel integration of aligned nanostructures including carbon nanotubes and metallic nanorods in to photovoltaic devices.

Recent Selected Publications:

1. B. Avasarala, R. Moore and P. Haldar, "Surface Oxidation of Carbon Supports due to Potential Cycling under PEM Fuel Cell Conditions" accepted for publication, Electrochimica Acta (2010)
2. S. L. Knupp, M. B. Vukmirovic, P. Haldar and R. Adzic, "Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts for O₂ Reduction: Pt Monolayer on Carbon-Supported PdIr Nanoparticles", accepted for publication, Electrochemical Society Proceedings (2010).
3. Z. Zhao, R. Teki, N. Koratkar, H. Efstathiadis, P. Haldar, "Metal Oxide Buffer Layer for Improving Performance of Polymer Solar Cells", Applied Surface Science, 256, pp 6053-6056 (2010).
4. C. Dangler, M. V. Rane-Fondacaro, T. Devarajan, S. Higashiya, J. Snyder and P. Haldar, "Role of conducting carbon in electrodes for electric double layer capacitors", Accepted for publication, Materials Letters, (2010).
5. D. Dwyer, I. Repins, H. Efstathiadis, P. Haldar, "Selenization of Co-sputtered CuInAl Precursors", Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 94, pp 598-605, (2010)
6. D. Dwyer, R. Sun, H. Efstathiadis, P. Haldar, "Characterization of Chemical Bath Deposited Buffer Layers for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications", Physica Status Solidi A, 1-7 (2010) / DOI 10.1002/pssa.201025522 (2010).
7. S. Higashiya, T.S. Devarajan, M.V. Rane-Fondacaro,C. Dangler, J. Snyder, and P.Haldar, "Synthesis of oxygen-containing spirobipyrrolidinium salts for high conductivity room temperature ionic liquids", Helvetica Chimica Acta - Vol. 92 pp. 1600 (2009).
8. T. Devarajan, S. Higayashi, C. Dangler, M. Rane-Fondacaro, J. Snyder, P. Haldar, "Novel Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors", Electrochemistry Communications 11, pp. 680-683 (2009).
9. E. Stinzianni, K. Dunn, Z. Zhouying, M. Rane-Fondacaro, H. Efstathiadis, and P. Haldar, "Relationship of aluminum grain size to the grain size of polycrystalline silicon produced by the aluminum induced crystallization of amorphous silicon," IEEE Transactions PVSC, in print (2010).
10. A. Nguyen, A. Fioramonti, D. Morrissey, H. Efstathiadis, Z. Zhouying, and P. Haldar, "Feasibility of Improving Front Metallization Lines for Photovoltaic Devices", IEEE Transactions PVSC, in print (2010).
11. D. Dwyer, I. Repins, H. Efstathiadis, P. Haldar, Deposition of CuInAlSe2 films using co-sputtered precursors and selenization", IEEE Transactions PVSC, in print (2010).
12. C. Lee, H. Efstathiadis, J. E. Raynolds, P. Haldar, "Two-dimensional Computer Modeling of Single Junction a-Si:H Solar Cells", IEEE Transactions PVSC, in print (2010).
13. E. A. Stinzianni, H. Efstathiadis, K. A. Dunn, and P. Haldar, "Role of Temperature and Duration of the Crystallization Anneal in the Texture Development of YBCO Prepared by TFA-MOD", IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, Vol. 19,  Issue 3,  Part 3,  pp. 2877-2881, June (2009).
14. A.M. Patel, S.Y. Gui, A.P. Stavrides. J.A. Cambridge, L.T. Le, H. Efstathiadis, P. Haldar and A.E. Delahoy, "Deposition of Large Area, Directly Textures, ZnO:Al films by Reactive-Environment, Hollow Cathode Sputtering", Photovolatic Specialists Conference, 2008. PVSC '08. 33rd IEEE pp. 1 - 5, 11-16 May (2008)
15. B. Avasarala, W. Li and P. Haldar, "Durable Electrocatalysts based on Titanium Nitride Nanoparticles for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells", Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19, pp. 1803-1805 (2009).
16. B. Avasarala and P. Haldar, "Effect of surface roughness of composite bipolar plates on the contact resistance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell", Journal of Power Sources, 188, pp. 225-229 (2009).
17. H. Ye, C. Lee, R. Simon, P. Haldar, "Development of Cryogenic Power Modules for Superconducting Hybrid Power Electronic System", International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, Vol. 34, No. 1/2, pp. 188-199, (2009).
18. V. Jindal, N. Tripathi, M. Tungare, O. Paschos, P. Haldar, F. Shahedipour-Sandvik, "Selective Area Heteroepitaxy of low dimensional a-plane and c-plane InGaN Nanostructures using pulsed MOCVD", Physica Status Solidi, (C), pp. 1-3, DOI 10.1002/pssc.20077859,9 (2008).
19. P. Abetti and P. Haldar, "One hundred years of superconductivity: Science, Technology, Products and industry structure," International Journal of Technology Management, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 423-447 (2009).
20. S.L. Knupp, W. Li, O. Paschos, T. Murray, J. Snyder, and P. Haldar, "Synthesis and Parametric Effects on Carbon Nanotube/Nanofiber Supported Platinum via Polyol Processing Techniques" Carbon 46, pp. 1276-1284 (2008)

Recent Presentations:

1. P. Haldar, A. Nguyen, H. Efstathiadis, "Improving Metallization Lines for Solar Cells with Improved Efficiency and Lower Costs", 2010 Electronics Packaging Symposium, GEGRC, Niskayuna, NY, (Sept, 2010)
2. P. Haldar, "Incubators for Collaborating & Leveraging Energy And Nanotechnology (iCLEAN)", New York University, New York City, NY (June, 2010)
3. P. Haldar, " New York Leadership in High Tech Cluster Development", NYSE-K2E Leadership  Roundtable, New York City, NY (May, 2010)
4. P. Haldar, "New York's Nanotech Initiative at the National Nanotech Initiative review meeting for the President's Council of Advisors for Science & Technology", Washington D.C., (January, 2010).
5. P. Haldar, "Nanotech Applications in Clean Energy Technologies", INVITED SPEAKER, International Conference on Advances in Mechanical and Building Sciences in the 3^rd millennium", Vellore Institute of Technology University, Vellore, India (December, 2009).
6. P. Haldar, "Nanengineering and E2TAC activities at CNSE", INVITED SPEAKER, Joint US-Japan Workshop on Advanced Materials Research for NanoTechnology, Albany, NY (December, 2009).
7. P. Haldar, "Innovations in Ultra/Super Capacitors and Hybrid Batteries", INVITED SPEAKER, Advanced Battery Value Chain Conference, Breakthroughs Technical Briefing, Washington D.C., (Dec 2009)
8. P. Haldar, "Applying Nanotech Innovations to Energy Applications",  KEYNOTE SPEAKER, 2009 Mid-Atlantic MEMS Alliance Symposium, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.(November 2009)
9. P. Haldar, "Nanotech in Alternate Energy", SPECIAL PRESENTATION, The Hudson Valley Center For Innovation, The Entrepreneurs' Breakfast Series, Kingston, NY (November, 2009)
10. P. Haldar, "Leveraging New York State's Intellectual Resources for Producing Clean Energy Technology", 22^nd NREL Industry Growth Forum, Denver, CO (November, 2009)
11. P. Haldar, "Clean Energy Technology Initiatives in New York", INVITED SPEAKER, New York Independent System Operator, Environmental Advisory Council Meeting, Latham, NY (October, 2009)
12. P. Haldar, "Applying NanoTech Innovations to Research and Education: CNSE", KEYNOTE SPEAKER, American Society for Metals, Capital Region Annual Meeting, Albany, NY (October, 2009).
13. P. Haldar, "Solar/PV Market Considerations", Panelist, SEMI New England Committee and PV Group's Solar/PV Manufacturing Market Outlook, Albany, NY (September, 2009).
14. P. Haldar, "Leveraging Innovative Services for Commercializing Clean Energy Innovations" 21st NREL Industry Growth Forum, Denver, Colorado (2008)
15. P. Haldar, "Forum Presenters Session - for business case presenters only" 21st NREL Industry Growth Forum, Denver, Colorado (2008)
16. P. Haldar, "Panel on Large Company-Small Company Collaborations: Overcoming Commitment Issues" with Rich Honen, Mary Ann Capria and Kelly Mooney Lester, Licensing Executives Society, October, Orlando, FL (2008)
17. P. Haldar and Edward Cupoli, "Panel on Technology Innovation and Partnerships", Technology Society Conference, University at Albany, Albany NY (2008)
18. P. Haldar, "Clean Energy Technologies", Going Green Globally, School of Business, University at Albany, Albany, NY (2008).
19. P. Haldar, "Energy Matters", Driving Change Workshop at the New York State Department of Transportation, Albany, NY (2008)
20. P. Haldar, "Educating the workforce for the nanotechnology industry at CNSE", INVITED, American Physical Society March meeting, New Orleans, LA (2008)