Martin Green (professor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Martin Green AM FRS FAA
Martin Green in 2015
Born	Martin Andrew Green (1948-07-20) 20 July 1948 (age 77) Brisbane, Australia
Citizenship	Australian
Alma mater	University of Queensland (BSc) McMaster University (PhD)
Awards	Pawsey Medal (1981) M. A. Sargent Medal (1994) Australia Prize (1999) Right Livelihood Award (2002) Millennium Technology Prize (2022) VinFuture Prize (2023)
Scientific career
Fields	Photovoltaics Solar Cells Solar energy Thermophotonics
Thesis	Properties and applications of the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) tunnel diode (1974)
Doctoral advisor	John Shewchun

Martin Andrew Green, born on July 20, 1948, is an Australian engineer and professor. He teaches at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Professor Green is famous for his work on solar energy and making solar cells more efficient. In 2021, he received the Japan Prize for his amazing work on "High-Efficiency Silicon Photovoltaic Devices." He also leads the academic journal Progress in Photovoltaics.

Early Life and Education

Martin Green was born in Brisbane, Australia. He went to Brisbane State High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Queensland. He then earned his PhD degree from McMaster University in Canada. During his studies in Canada, he focused on solar energy.

Research and Innovations

In 1974, Professor Green started the Solar Photovoltaics Group at the University of New South Wales. This group worked on making better silicon solar cells.

Making Solar Cells Better

In the early 1980s, Professor Green created many new technologies. These inventions helped make solar power generation much more efficient. Many of his students later became important in developing China's solar industry. One of his notable students was Shi Zhengrong.

Key Inventions

Professor Green has written several books about solar cells. These books are for both general readers and scientists. In 1984, his team at UNSW developed the "buried contact solar cell." This was a big step forward in solar technology. He also served as the Research Director for Pacific Solar Pty Ltd, a company that later became CSG Solar.

Awards and Recognitions

Professor Green has received many important awards for his work. These awards celebrate his dedication to making solar energy better.

• 1981: Pawsey Medal from the Australian Academy.
• 1990: IEEE Cherry Award.
• 1999: Australia Prize.
• 2002: Right Livelihood Award. He received this for his success in using solar energy, which is a major challenge for our world.
• 2003: Karl Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit Award from the University of Delaware.
• 2008: New South Wales Scientist of the Year Award.
• 2012: Became a Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his service to science and his work on solar cell technology.
• 2013: Became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
• 2018: Received The Global Energy Prize. This award recognized his research that made solar power cheaper and more efficient.
• 2021: Japan Prize.
• 2022: Millennium Technology Prize.
• 2023: Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. He shared this award for inventing PERC solar photovoltaic technology. He also received the VinFuture Grand Prize for the same invention.
• 2024: A new Parramatta River-class ferry in Sydney was named after him.