After receiving a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1974, Dr. Swanson studied techniques for solar-electric power generation including thermophotovoltaic energy conversion. His areas of research have generally involved investigation into the semiconductor properties of silicon relevant for better understanding the operation of silicon solar cells. This has included studies of heavy doping effects, surface recombination, minority carrier transport, gettering, defect recombination kinetics, Auger recombination, and light-trapping. These studies have helped pave the way for steady improvement in silicon solar cell performance. Dr. Swanson and his group conceived and developed the point-contact solar cell, laboratory versions of which achieved 28% conversion efficiency under concentrated sunlight and 23% under one-sun. In 1991, he founded SunPower Corporation. SunPower solar cells powered Honda to victory in the 1993 World Solar Challenge, and recently powered NASA's high altitude solar powered airplane, Helios, to 96,500 feet, a record altitude for any non-rocket aircraft.

John D. Meakin
University of Delaware
Newark, DE, USA