Sara Mashhoun

Education

• B.Sc. (2010)
  Sharif University of Technology, Department of Physics
  Major: Physics (GPA = 3.47/4)
• M.Sc. (2012)
  Sharif University of Technology, Department of Physics
  Major: Physics (GPA = 3.32/4)
  Thesis: Optimized Pt Coating for High Charge Transfer ‐ High Transparency Cathodes of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (Thesis Score = 19/20)
  Supervisor: Prof. Nima Taghavinia
• Ph.D. (2018)
  Sharif University of Technology, Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  Major: Nanotechnology (Nanophysics) (GPA = 3.74/4)
  Thesis: Printable Carbon Electrode for Perovskite & Thin Film Solar Cells (Thesis Score = Excellent)

Research

Research Interests

• Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Electronic Devices
• Solar Cells
• Renewable Energy

Research Skills & Technical Expertise

• Thin Film Deposition: Spin coating, spray pyrolysis, thermal evaporation, sputtering, blade coating
• Thin Film Characterization: UV-VIS spectroscopy, surface profilometry, Kelvin probe force microscopy, photoluminescence, 4-point probe conductivity
• Solar Cell Fabrication: Dye-sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells, solution-processed thin-film solar cells
• Solar Cell Characterization: J-V measurements, IPCE, EIS, IMPS/IMVS
• Conductive Paste Formulation: PT paste, carbon paste
• Stability Measurements & Photovoltaics Resiliency Studies
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) Computation

Research Positions & Institutional Experience

• Visiting Researcher
  Institution: Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (IMEET), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany
  Duration: May-Dec. 2016
  Supervisor: Prof. Christoph J. Brabec (h-index: 150)
• Postdoctoral Researcher
  Institution:  Nanoparticles & Coating Laboratory (NCL), Physics Department, Sharif University of Technology
  Duration: 2018-2020
  Supervisor: Prof. Nima Taghavinia (h-index: 47)
• Postdoctoral Researcher
  Institution:  Sharif Energy, Water and Environment Institute (SEWEI), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
  Duration: 2020-2022
  Supervisor: Dr. Mahdi Sharifzadeh (h-index: 21)

Research Plans

• National Resilience and International Competitiveness in the Photovoltaic Industry

Objective: Promote national resilience and enhance international competitiveness by leveraging the capabilities of knowledge-based companies in the photovoltaic industry.

Institution: Office of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Tehran, 2020 – 2021

• Development of the Knowledge-Based Economy in the Energy Industry Value Chain

Objective: Develop and deepen the knowledge-based economy in the value chain of energy industries, focusing on the challenges facing the 13th government, My Role: Chief Editor and Coordinator of the electricity industry sector.

Institution: Office of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Tehran, 2021

• The Foresight of Iran’s Energy Flow in Horizon 1420

Objective: Conduct foresight studies to map the energy flow and strategic outlook for the country by 2041.

Institution: Office of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Tehran, 2021

• An Investigation on Technological Improvement Rates of Solar Photovoltaic Technology

Objective: Investigate advanced and leading technologies in the exploitation of solar energy.

Institution: Sharif Energy, Water and Environment Institute (SEWEI), Sharif University of Technology, 2022

Publications

Conference Papers/Talks

• 1. S. Mashhoun, S. Rahmani, "Challenges of Variations of Planets, from Geocentric to Heliocentric Model", International TUSI Conference on Astrophysics, Maragha, Iran, May 2009. (Oral Presentation)
• 2.    S. Mashhoun, F. Behrouznejad, N. Taghavinia, “Optimization of Platinum Coating for High Charge Transfer, High Transparency Cathodes of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells”, 2^nd Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC91), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, October 2012.
• 3.    S. Mashhoun, F. Behrouznejad, N. Taghavinia, “Transparent Platinum Counter Electrode for Back-Illuminated Dye Sensitized Solar Cells”, Proceedings of the 5^th International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS5), Kish Island, Iran, March 2014.
• 4.    V. Saadattalab, S. Mashhoun, A. Shakeri, N. Taghavinia, “Fabrication of Solution-based Low Temperature Processed Superstrate CZTS Solar Cells”, 5^th Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC94), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, December 2015.
• 5.    S. Mashhoun, N. Taghavinia, “CIS Solar Cells’ Efficiency Enhancement by Optimizing the Heating Procedure”, The 6^th International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS6) Kish Island, Iran, 7‐10 March 2016.
• 6.    R. Khosroshahi, N. Taghavinia, S. Mashhoun, “Solution Based Synthesis of CZTS Nanoparticles for Solar Cell Application”, The 6^th International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS6) Kish Island, Iran, 7-10 March 2016.
• 7.    S. Mashhoun, M. Dehghani, A. Behjat, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, “A Study of Spray Deposited Indium Sulfide Buffer Layer on the Performance of an All-Solution-Processed CuInS₂ Solar Cell”, E‐MRS (European Materials Research Society) 2016 Fall Meeting, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland, September 19-22, 2016.
• 8.    Sara Mashhoun, Yi Hou, Haiwei Chen, Fariba Tajabadi, Raheleh Mohammadpour, Nima Taghavinia, Hans-Joachim Egelhaaf and Christoph J. Brabec, “Low-Cost Stable Solution-Processed Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficient Carbon Electrode”, 2^nd International Conference on Perovskite Solar Cells and Optoelectronics (PSCO), Genova, Italy, 26‐28 September 2016.
• 9.    Sara Mashhoun, Yi Hou, Haiwei Chen, Fariba Tajabadi, Raheleh Mohammadpour, Nima Taghavinia, Hans-Joachim Egelhaaf and Christoph J. Brabec, “Low-Cost Stable Solution-Processed Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficient Carbon Electrode”, 3^rd International Congress on Next Generation Solar Energy Meets Nanotechnology, Erlangen, Germany, 23-25 November 2016.
• 10.    Sara Mashhoun, Yi Hou, Haiwei Chen, Fatemeh Behrouznejad, Fariba Tajabadi, Raheleh Mohammadpour, Nima Taghavinia and Christoph J. Brabec, “Low-Temperature Efficient Carbon Electrode for Perovskite Solar Cells”, 6^th Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC95), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, December 2016. (Oral Presentation)
• 11.    N. Rasti, A. Amiri Zarandi, M. Dehghani, S. Mashhoun, M.H. Khanmirzayi, N. Taghavinia, “Ag NW-based Efficient Transparent Conductive Electrode for Solar Cells”, 7^th Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC96), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, December 2017.
• 12.    S. Mashhoun, Y. Hou, H. Chen, R. Mohammadpour, F. Behrouznejad, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, H. J. Egelhaaf and C. J. Brabec, "Improving Perovskite Solar Cells’ Light Stability by a Low-Cost Printed Carbon Electrode", Proceedings of the 7^th International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS7), February 2018, Tehran, Iran. (Oral Presentation)
• 13.    Sara Mashhoun, Mahsa Heydari, Fariba Tajabadi, Nima Taghavinia, “Laminated Carbon Electrode for Perovskite Solar Cells”, 8^th Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC98), May 2019, Tehran, Iran. (Oral Presentation)
• 14.    S. Mashhoun, M. Heydari, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, “Laminated Carbon: An Efficient, Low-Cost Electrode for Perovskite Solar Cells”, Proceedings of the 8^th Conference on Nanostructured Solar Cells (NSSC98) International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS8), November 2020, Tehran, Iran.
• 15.    Elham Baghestani, Sara Mashhoun, Fariba Tajabadi, Sara Darbari, Nima Taghavinia, “A Novel Laminated Carbon Top Electrode to Replace Au in Perovskite Solar Cells with Inorganic HTM”, Proceedings of the 8^th International Conference on on Nanostructures (ICNS8), November 2020, Tehran, Iran.
• 16.    Sara Mashhoun, Meysam Sadeghi, Mohsen Farzan, Mohammad Javidmehr, Farhad Kiarasi, and Mahdi Sharifzadeh, “Development of the knowledge-based economy in the value chain of the electricity industry”, Event on Development of knowledge-based economy in the value chain of energy industries, August 2021, Tehran, Iran. (Oral Presentation)
• 17.    Sara Mashhoun, Aslan Gholami, Mohsen Farzan, Mohammad Javidmehr, Farhad Kiarasi, and Mahdi Sharifzadeh, “Plan to promote national resilience and international competitiveness in the photovoltaic industry”, Vice-Presidency for Science & Technology, November 2021, Tehran, Iran. (Oral Presentation)18.    S. Mashhoun, M. Javidmehr, F. Saghandali, S. Tabibian, F. Abbasizadeh, R. Loni, M. Sadeghi, F. Kiarasi, and M. Sharifzadeh, “The Foresight of Iran’s Energy Flow in Horizon 1420”, Vice-Presidency for Science & Technology, November 2021, Tehran, Iran.
   

Journal Papers

1. S. Mashhoun, Y. Hou, H. Chen, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, H. J. Egelhaaf and C. J. Brabec, “Resolving a Critical Instability in Perovskite Solar Cells by Designing a Scalable and Printable Carbon Based Electrode – Interface Architecture”,  Advanced Energy Materials 8 (2018) 1802085. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201802085 (2022 impact factor= 29.7)
2. M. Karimipour, S. Mashhoun, M. Mollaei, M. Molaei, N. Taghavinia “A Simple Low Pressure Method for the Synthesis of TiO2 Nanotubes and Nanofibers and Their Application in DSSCs”, Electronic Materials Letters 11, 625-632 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13391-015-4319-3 (2020-2021 impact factor= 3.0)
3. •S. Mashhoun, A. Cheshmeh-Khavar, M. Dehghani, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, “Performance Improvement in Solution Based CuInS₂ Solar Cell by Optimizing the Absorber Layer Deposition”, Journal of Advanced Materials and Technologies (JAMT): Vol. 10, No. 1, (Spring 2021), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.30501/jamt.2021.212974.1068
4. E. Baghestani, F. Tajabadi, Z. Saki, M. Heidariramsheh, F. Ghasemi, S. Darbari, S. Mashhoun, N. Taghavinia, “A conductive adhesive ink for carbon-laminated perovskite solar cells with enhanced stability and high efficiency”, Solar Energy, Vol. 266, 2023, 112165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.112165 (2023 impact factor=6.7)
5. S. Mashhoun, A. Tavahodi, “Boron nitride nanotubes as carriers of Genistein for multitherapeutic cancer treatment: A DFT study of electronic and solubility properties”, in submission.
6. S. Mashhoun, M. Heydari, F. Tajabadi, N. Taghavinia, “Vacuum–free Laminated Polymer-coated Carbon Foil for Metal Electrode Free Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells”, in preparation.
7. S. Mashhoun, R. Rezazadegan, and M. Sharifzadeh, “Quantification of the technological progress in solar cell industry using patent data”, in preperation.

Courses

• •    Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics I (Undergraduate)
• •    Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics II (Undergraduate)
• •    General Physics II (Undergraduate)
• •    General Physics III (Undergraduate)
• •    Advanced Statistical Mechanics (Graduate)
• •    General Physics Laboratory (Undergraduate)

Mentoring

•  •    Shirin Emami, MSc., Thesis: Fabrication of Transparent Conductive Graphene Layer, Investigation of Conductivity & Optical Transmittance
• •    Amirhossein Mojarrad, BSc., Project: Applications of Quantum Technologies in the Renewable Energy IndustryMohammadreza Nokhbeh Rousta, PhD Candidate
• •    Mohammadreza Nokhbeh Rousta, PhD Candidate

Honors & Awards

• •    Winner of the Shahriari Prize (Iran National Elites Foundation), 2022
• •    Winner of the facility for recruitment of elites in executive organizations, National Elite Foundation and Employment Administrative Affairs Organization, March 1401
• •    Prize for “Selected Plan” from the Viewpoint of Event Participants: Specialized & Challenge-based Event on Water, Environment & Energy, AMA ITC Innovation Center, Tehran, May 2019.
• •    Ranked 5^th in the National Ph.D. Entrance Exam in 2012.
• •    Exempt from the M.Sc. Entrance Exam as a Top Student, 2010.
• •    Exempt from the National University Entrance Exam as Olympiad Medal Winner, 2006.
• •    First Place in the Provincial Khwarizmi Festival for “A study in the History of Astronomy in the Islamic Period”, 2006.
• •    Gold Medal in Iranian National Astronomy Olympiad, 2005.
• •    Gold Medal in Iranian National Astronomy Olympiad, 2004.
• •     Special Jury Award for the Most Telling Report in the 11^th Gathering of Physics Students of Iran, Zanjan, Iran, 2003.
• •    Special Jury Award for the Most Comprehensive Conclusion in 11^th Gathering of Physics Students of Iran, Zanjan, Iran, 2003.
• •    Special Jury Award for the Most Accurate Calculation and Error Analysis in 11^th Gathering of Physics Students of Iran, Zanjan, Iran, 2003
• •    Second Place in the Provincial Khwarizmi Festival for “Observation, Analysis and Determination of Geminids Meteor Shower Activity”, Tehran, Iran, 2003.
• •    Third Prize in International Astronomy Olympiad, Stockholm, Sweden, 2003.
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Activities

• Renewable Energy Expert
  Water, Energy, and Environment Technology Development Headquarters, Office of the Vice President for Science and Technology
  2019
• Collaborator
  Project: "Indigenization of Polysilicon Production, Solar Silicon, and Technology Transfer for Solar Cell and Panel Production"
  Sharif University of Technology, in collaboration with CPG Pars International Mining and Industrial Company
  2021
• Referee
  Member of the Judging Committee for the Second National Renewable Energy Award, representing the Water, Energy, and Environment Technology Development Headquarters
  2019
• Executive Chair
  8^th Nanostructured Solar Cells Conference (NSSC98)
  Sharif University of Technology
  2018
• Internal Manager
  Nanoparticles and Nanoscale Coatings Laboratory
  Sharif University of Technology
  December 2013 – May 2015
• Member, Executive Committee
  6th International Conference on Nanostructures (ICNS6)
  Kish Island, 2014
• Organizing Committee Member of NSSC90,ICNS4, NSSC91, NSSC92, ICNS5, NSSC93, NSSC94, ICNS6
   

Languages

• English (Fluent)
• German (Conversational)
• Arabic (Conversational)
• Certificates:
  •    FCE: First Certificate in English, University of Cambridge, ESOL Department, Grade A (June 2008)
  •    TOEFL iBT: 94/120 (October 2015)

Contact Me

Email: mashhoun@kntu.ac.ir

Office: Physics Department, East Kavian St., Mojtabaei St., Shariati St., Tehran, Iran.