Brian’s research seeks to reduce the cost of solar electricity through optical innovation. He has designed and fabricated a freeform lens which intercepts the low-concentration line focus from a parabolic trough reflector to produce multiple high concentration foci. These regions of high concentration drive triple-junction solar cells. He is currently investigating ways to reduce the cost of solar tracking by performing integrated tracking of the freeform elements. When the freeform optics are allowed this additional degree of freedom, it is possible to achieve high concentration while only tracking the parabolic trough about a single axis. Brian’s other research interests include large optic metrology, freeform lens fabrication, and slump molding of solar reflectors using a radiative furnace.

Brian has a B.S. in Optical Engineering from the University of Arizona in 2010, where he graduated as valedictorian. After working in industry for a year, he returned to the College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona to pursue a PhD in Optical Sciences. He has since received the Kenneth Moore Scholarship (2012) and SPIE Scholarship (2013). In April 2014 he was chosen to receive the Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship award.

Brian Wheelwright 2020