Email: jephias.gwamuri@nust.ac.zw; jgwamuri@mtu.edu; jgwa

Qualifications
PhD (2016, Material Science and Engineering) - Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI; MSc (2004, Lasers and Applied Optics) - National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Licenciate (1996, Physics & Electronics) ISP Enrique Jose Varona,Havana, Cuba

Research
Solar PV Conversion Efficiency; Plasmonics & Metamaterials in Photovoltaics; Transparent Conducting Oxides (TCO (ITO, ZnO, AZO))growth techniques & characterization; PV Systems Design and Optimization; 3D Printing, Open Source Hardware and Appropriate Technology; Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency; System engineering, grid integration and smart grids; Research grants awards: RAEIN-Africa grant.

Publications by Dr. Jephias Gwamuri

Books:

Gwamuri, Jephias, Brighton Mvumi, Ellen F. Maguranyanga, and Isaiah Nyagumbo. "Impact of Jatropha on Rural Livelihoods." RAEIN-Africa Secretariat, Windhoek (2012)

Book chapter:

269. Gwamuri, D. Ö. Güney, and J. M. Pearce, “Advances in Plasmonic Light Trapping in Thin-Film Solar Photovoltaic Devices,” in Solar Cell Nanotechnology, A. Tiwari, R. Boukherroub, and Heshwar Sharon, Eds. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013, pp. 241–269.

Journal articles

J Gwamuri, J M Pearce, J Poliskey. Open Source 3-D Printers: An Appropriate Technology for Developing Communities. 2016, Paper in print.

Jephias Gwamuri, Ankit Vora, Rajendra R. Khanal, Adam B. Phillips, Michael J. Heben, Durdu O. Guney, Paul Bergstrom , Anand Kulkarni, Joshua M. Pearce, “Limitations of Ultra-Thin Transparent Conducting Oxides for Integration into Plasmonic-Enhanced Thin Film Solar Photovoltaic Devices,” Mat. For Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 4, 12 (2015).

Jephias Gwamuri, Ankit Vora, Jeyanthinath Mayandi, Durdu Ö. Güney, Paul L. Bergstrom , Joshua M. Pearce. “,A New Method of Preparing Highly Conductive Ultra-Thin Indium Tin Oxide for Plasmonic-Enhanced Thin Film Solar Photovoltaic Devices” Solar Energy materials and Solar Cells, 149, 250-257 (2016).

Gwamuri, J., Marikkannan, M., Mayandi, J., Bowen, P. K., & Pearce, J. M. (2016). Influence of Oxygen Concentration on the Performance of Ultra-Thin RF Magnetron Sputter Deposited Indium Tin Oxide Films as a Top Electrode for Photovoltaic Devices. Materials, 9(1), 63.

Jephias Gwamuri , Ragavendran Venkatesan, Mehdi Sadatdol, Jeyanthinath Mayandi, Durdu Guney, Joshua M. Pearce. “Ambient-dependent Agglomeration and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Response of Self-Assemble Silver Nano-particles for Plasmonic Photovoltaic Devices”. Under review.

J Gwamuri, M Junda, M Sadatdol, J Mayandi, D Guney, N Podraza and J. M. Pearce. “Plasmonic enhanced Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaic Device Using Multi-disperse Self-Assemble Silver Nanoparticles”. Under Review.

Gwamuri, Jephias, Dhiogo Franco, Khalid Y. Khan, Lucia Gauchia, and Joshua M. Pearce. "High-Efficiency Solar-Powered 3-D Printers for Sustainable Development." Machines 4, no. 1 (2016): 3.

Gwamuri, Jephias, Ben T. Wittbrodt, Nick C. Anzalone, and Joshua M. Pearce. "Reversing the Trend of Large Scale and Centralization in Manufacturing: The Case of Distributed Manufacturing of Customizable 3-D-Printable Self-Adjustable Glasses." Challenges in Sustainability 2, no. 1 (2014): 30-40.

2014. Vora, J. Gwamuri, J. M. Pearce, P. L. Bergstrom, and D. Ö. Güney, “Multi-resonant silver nano-disk patterned thin film hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells for Staebler-Wronski effect compensation,” Journal of Applied Physics,vol. 116, no. 9, p. 093103, Sep. 2014.
2015. Vora, J. Gwamuri, N. Pala, A. Kulkarni, J. M. Pearce, and D. Ö. Güney, “Exchanging Ohmic Losses in Metamaterial Absorbers with Useful Optical Absorption for Photovoltaics,” NatureSci. Rep., vol. 4, May 2014.
2016. Heidari, J. Gwamuri, T. Townsend, J.M. Pearce,“Impact of Snow and Ground Interference on Solar Photovoltaic Electric System Performance” IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics,Vol. PP(99), 2015
2017. Zhang, J. Gwamuri, R. Andrews, and J. M. Pearce “Design of Multijunction Photovoltaic Cells Optimized for Varied Atmospheric Conditions”.  International Journal of Photoenergy, Vol 2014(2014)

Conference proceedings

JM Pearce, C Zhang, J Rozario, J Gwamuri. The Viability of Nanotechnology-based InGaN Solar Photovoltaic Devices for Sustainable Energy Generation. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1558, mrss13-1558-z03-06

Wyatt Adams ; Ankit Vora ; Jephias Gwamuri ; Joshua M. Pearce ; Durdu Ö. Güney; Controlling optical absorption in metamaterial absorbers for plasmonic solar cells. Proc. SPIE 9546, Active Photonic Materials VII, 95461M (August 31, 2015);

Gwamuri, J., Selection and Preparation of A Suitable Radiotracer. 2nd Project Conference (RAF8040)  on Applications for Troubleshooting and Optimizing Industrial Processes 23 – 25 May 2011,  Pretoria, South Africa

Gwamuri, J., Mhlanga, S., 2010. Design of a Solar PV Home System for Use in Urban Zimbabwe. 4th International Conference of Appropriate Technology Proceedings, 24-27 November 2010, Accra, Ghana. ISBN 978-1-60725-560-4.

Gwamuri, J., Gana, G., Maguranyanga, E. F., Mwenje, E. Bio-fuels, Land Degradation and the Cost of Food Production. SADC Regional Conference on Sustainable Land Management in the Dry Lands of Southern African: the Practicalities, 07 – 11 September 2009, Windhoek country Resort Club. Paper submitted for publication. (Paper published by Min. of Environment & Tourism, Namibia)

Gwamuri, J., Level Measurements Using Neutron Backscatter. Regional (AFRA) 1st Conference and 2nd Coordination Meeting on Radioisotopes Applications for Troubleshooting and Optimizing Industrial Processes.  Accra, Ghana, 16-20  June 2008. Conference Proceedings.

Gwamuri, J., Buah-Bassuah, P. K., Gholap, A. V., Mohamed, T. S.,  2007. Laser Radiation Interaction with Biological Tissues. International Conference on Optics and Laser Applications in Medicine and Environmental Monitoring for Sustainable Development (OPTOLASERMED 2007), University of Cape Coast, Ghana, 19-24. Winning Poster. http://atconference2008.blogspot.com/2007/08/summary-report-from-second.html 

Gwamuri, J., Buah-Bassuah, P. K.,, Gholap, A. V., Mohamed, T. S.,  (2006). Investigating Light Propagation in Turbid Media by Evaluating Optical Properties of Phantom Tissues. 2nd International Conference of Appropriate Technology Proceedings, NUST, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Technical Reports

1. Gwamuri, M. Kreiger, and J.M. Pearce (2012). "Variable Angle Ellipsometry Spectroscopy Characterization of Amorphous Silicon" Interim Report (Completed for Thin Silicon, INC, (Winter 2012)).

Gwamuri, J., .(2010). Agro-fuels country status paper - Zimbabwe. (Consultancy Paper Paper for CTDT).