YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Youngstown State University doctoral student Solomon Atta recently earned third place at a regional research conference for his work studying materials used in thin-film solar cells.
Atta, a native of Ghana pursuing a doctorate in materials science and engineering, presented his research at the Microscopy Society of Northeast Ohio and the Society for the Applied Spectroscopy conference at John Carroll University.
His project, “Spray Pyrolytic Deposition and Characterization of CdTe-Based Thin Films,” examines cadmium telluride, or CdTe, a material widely used in thin-film solar cells because of its efficiency and relatively low production cost.
“Materials are the foundation of so many technologies we use every day,” Atta said. “I saw pursuing a Ph.D. at YSU as an opportunity to grow as a researcher while working on projects that can have a real impact.”
His research focuses on producing and analyzing extremely thin layers of material used in solar panels and studying how processing conditions influence their performance.
“In simple terms, I’m trying to understand materials that convert sunlight into electricity,” he said. “The better we understand them, the more we can improve the efficiency of solar energy technologies.”
Advances in CdTe-based materials could improve the efficiency of solar panels and make clean energy technologies more affordable and accessible. The research also contributes to a broader understanding of how materials can be optimized for other technological applications.
Atta said he was surprised to receive third-place honors at the conference.
“There were many strong projects at the conference,” he said. “Hearing my name announced was a very pleasant surprise.”
The recognition was particularly meaningful because it acknowledged the work that often takes place outside the spotlight, he said.
“As graduate students, we spend a lot of time working behind the scenes, running experiments, troubleshooting problems and trying to make progress one step at a time,” he said. “It was encouraging to see that effort recognized by others in the field.”
Atta credits the mentorship of YSU faculty, particularly Clovis Linkous, professor of chemical and biological sciences, for helping shape his development as a researcher.
“He encourages me to think independently and to understand the reasoning behind my decisions,” Atta said. “That has helped me become more confident and prepared to tackle research challenges on my own.”
After completing his doctorate, Atta plans to pursue a career in research and development focused on advanced materials and energy technologies. He said he is interested in opportunities in industry, national laboratories or academia.
For students considering research careers, Atta encourages persistence and curiosity.
“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready,” he said. “Be curious, ask questions and don’t be discouraged when things don’t work the first time. Some of the most valuable lessons come from experiments that fail or results you didn’t expect. Research is about learning as you go.”
Pictured at top: Solomon Atta, a Youngstown State University doctoral student in materials science and engineering, earned third place at a regional research conference for his work studying cadmium telluride thin films used in solar energy technology.