Industrial Technology Research Institute

I was recruited to ITRI by the General Director of the Photovoltaic Technology Center (PVTC), Dr. Chung-Wen Lan. PVTC was seeking an individual who had knowledge and experience with thin film solar cells, specifically Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS), an area in which I have research experience in both India and the United States. So I took a sabbatical from my full time faculty position at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology to be a visiting consultant here at ITRI for 10 months. I was interested in the challenge of helping ITRI and Taiwan develop expertise in CIGS, to create a thin film solar cell that can reach anywhere from 10-12% efficiency on small area. I consult directly with Dr. Lan and from time to time interact with the CIGS group here at PVTC on the development of a plan to upgrade the efficiency of CIGS solar cell.

After working here at ITRI I found several unique aspects that grabbed my attention. ITRI not only strives to help Taiwan to catch up with leaders in CIGS like the US, EU and Japan, but it also creates a sound interactive relationship between R&D and industry. The research facilities here are excellent, and because ITRI is a large, multidisciplinary research center there is a wide variety of equipment available in one place.

The environment in Taiwan takes some time getting adjusted to. For some Indians who come, I find two main challenges. The first is obviously the language barrier. Not being able to speak Mandarin makes communicating in Taiwan difficult, though there are more English speakers in Taipei. In the office however, sometimes it is difficult for me to understand presentations, if it is in Chinese or I may miss notices about what is going on, things like that. The second challenge would be adjusting to the food, particularly for those who are vegetarian. There are however over 40 Indian restaurants located around Taipei. But even though there are these challenges, the people here in Taiwan are very friendly and do not hesitate to offer assistance. I currently live in Taipei and take the ITRI commuter bus down to work in Hsinchu. During my free time I visit the laboratories at National Taiwan University, where there are lots of Indians studying or doing post-docs; I have a number of friends here, and on Sundays I play cricket with NTU’s cricket club.

Once my time here at ITRI is over, I will return to my job at KIIT to build on what I have already established there.


Note: Dr. Singh left ITRI at the end of his 1-year contract to return to the faculty of KIIT University.