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“We
should not be afraid of things – we just need
to understand them. When I was young, it was the dad of a school
friend who conveyed to me his enthusiasm for what he did –
nuclear physics – which made me decide to go into physics.
My first encounter with French science took place at the CEA
(Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission) in Saclay,
where I did my post doc.
I worked on the physics of materials that react with light. Back
in Spain, I had a post at a university but realised that I was
not made for teaching. I therefore joined a combined EDF/CNRS
(French National Scientific Research Centre)-run research and
development centre. Then EDF appointed me for R&D to lead
work on thin layer photovoltaic materials and to develop a network
in France. When the company Nexcis was set up, I was invited
to join the adventure; as a senior scientist there I carry out
technological monitoring and fundamental research.
Capturing
sunlight and transforming it into energy
with photovoltaic modules constitutes a renewable energy. Competition
is very high and we work in a low-budget sector but with complicated
materials – something I find really interesting. The dominant
industry is silicon, obtained from sand. We use materials made
from raw materials, often composed of different elements such
as copper, indium, selenium, sulphur or cadmium (relatively easy
to use but highly toxic). Third-generation materials use quantum
physics concepts, structures in tandem with different materials
that increase their efficiency. We also work up-front on recycling,
which is taken into account in the sale price. Solar technology
should not cause residue and have the weakest CO2 generation
possible." |