Research Interests:

At FSEC/UCF, since 1990, Dr. Dhere has installed one of the two (the larger of the two) University facilities in the World for preparation of complete photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photovoltaic (PV) cells over 10cm x10cm area by selenization/sulfurization. He has designed from first principle, built and installed vacuum deposition systems and has prepared PEC and PV cells based on p-type CuIn_1-xGa_xSe_2-yS_y (CIGSS) and CdTe thin-films and a RuS₂ photoanode for generation of hydrogen by splitting water. He developed special techniques to extract samples from photovoltaic modules. He was Senior Research Scientist at the Solar Energy Research Institute, presently the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, during 1986-90. At SERI/NREL, he was the first in the USA to prepare high Tc superconducting thin films (T_c> 80K) based on bismuth. He was Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during 1971-86. At, IME, he installed a complete fabrication line to produce first-generation CdS/Cu₂S thin film solar cells in collaboration with Physikalische Institut, Stuttgart University. His was one of the few groups in the World to prepare a 30cmx30cm fully encapsulated CdS/Cu₂S minimodule. Since it showed significant degradation after deployment on the roof of IME, he initiated research on coevaporated CuInSe₂ thin film solar cells in collaboration with the SERI. He was a Research Fellow at the Comissão Nacional de Atividades Espaciais, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil, during 1970-71 and Headed the Techniques Laboratory, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, during 1966-70. Here he installed new laboratories and directed research on thin film deposition, hybrid microelectronics, wire and die bonding, photolithography and packaging, and space simulation. He is the eldest Ph. D. in the Family Holding the Guinness Book of World Records for Most Doctorates; Fellow, AVS Science and Technology Society, Emeritus Member; Founder-President (1979) and President (1980), Brazilian Vacuum Society; and Life Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He received the 2003 UCF Research Incentive Award, Outstanding Engineer Award 2002 - IEEE Region 3, UCF Distinguished Researcher of the Year, 2002, and FSEC Researcher of Year, 2001. So far, 30 students have completed graduate research under his guidance. He has published over 160 papers including a book-chapter on high Tc thin films in Physics of Thin films, 1992.