Yunlong Zi, Georgia Institute of Technology, has received a MRS Postdoctoral Award “for pioneering research to improve the efficiency and wider applicability of mechanical energy harvesting systems” and Bert Conings, Hasselt University, has received the award “for innovation in hybrid perovskite photovoltaics, addressing fabrication, lifetime, and toxicity issues.” The MRS Postdoctoral Award recognizes postdoctoral scholars who show exceptional promise, which may include excellence in scientific research, leadership, advocacy, outreach, or teaching during their postdoc assignment.

Zi received a B.Eng. degree in materials science and engineering from Tsinghua University, China, and a PhD degree in physics from Purdue University. Zi’s postdoctoral research focuses on high-efficiency mechanical energy harvesting through triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), TENG-triggered high-voltage applications, and self-powered systems.

Conings received a MS degree in applied physics from Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, and a PhD degree from Hasselt University, Belgium. Recent research includes understanding the origins and implications of grain size in hybrid perovskite films and solar cells, and electro-optical investigation of hybrid perovskites with improved film formation properties toward up-scalable and stable solar cells.

MRS acknowledges the Jiang Family Foundation and MTI Corporation for their generous contribution to support this award.