Researcher, engineer and technical leader
I am Romika Sharma, PhD. My research covers thin-film and semiconductor devices, failure analysis and manufacturing, with deep experience in photovoltaics. I am particularly interested in what it takes to move a technology from a laboratory result to a dependable product.
Research
I study the industries forming around light and solar energy, while continuing my core work on the reliability of thin-film and semiconductor devices.
I track changes in the global photovoltaics industry, including research, patents, manufacturing, equipment and commercial activity across silicon, thin films, tandem cells and power electronics. I am interested in how influence is divided between inventors, manufacturers and companies with access to markets.
Talk with me about thisI follow developments across the photonics industry, from materials and devices to manufacturing equipment, packaging and applications. My notes look at the technical and manufacturing capabilities needed as photonics grows in computing, sensing and communications.
Talk with me about thisReliability is the thread running through my research. I study how thin-film and semiconductor devices change under heat, humidity, light, electrical bias and mechanical stress. The aim is practical: identify why a device fails, improve the materials or process, and build better evidence for how it may perform outside the laboratory.
Talk with me about reliabilityWriting on LinkedIn
I write about solar technology, thin-film devices, manufacturing, reliability, climate policy and the use of AI in scientific research. The newsletter is where I share developments I find useful and add my own observations.
Read or subscribe Browse my LinkedIn articlesLearning interests
I am still learning about these subjects. They guide some of my reading, small experiments, discussions and teaching plans.
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Photonic computing02
Physical AI03
Reliability and data04
Climate technologyTeaching
I teach at university level and want to create more real-world, age-appropriate solar projects for younger learners.
For undergraduates
At the National University of Singapore, I co-teach this Electrical and Computer Engineering course. My classes cover solar-cell and module manufacturing, device physics, materials, process choices, performance, degradation, reliability and production scale-up.
For school-going learners
Sunbeamers is a hands-on science and engineering programme I would like to develop with schools, parents and educators. It introduces school-going learners to electronics, photovoltaics, energy and simple engineering design through practical projects that connect classroom ideas with everyday life.
If you are an educator or parent who would like to help with a pilot, please get in touch.
Contact me about SunbeamersExperience
My path began in commercial software engineering and moved into semiconductor physics, advanced photovoltaics, technical leadership, and emerging-technology strategy.
2023 to present
SERIS, National University of Singapore
I lead reliability and qualification work for perovskite-silicon tandem devices and co-teach the Solar Cells and Modules course at the National University of Singapore.
2021 to 2023
Nanyang Technological University
Established accelerated-stress protocols for thin-film stacks and studied perovskite degradation with in-situ electron microscopy, quantitative screening, and material down-selection.
2016 to 2020
SERIS, National University of Singapore
Investigated LeTID in multicrystalline silicon solar cells and collaborated with MIT, Aalto University, and Argonne National Laboratory on degradation mechanisms and mitigation.
2013 to 2015
Oracle Financial Services & VMware
I worked on commercial banking, analytics and desktop-virtualisation software. This experience remains useful in my scientific data and automation work.
Current research
This work studies how indoor stress-test results can be used to forecast outdoor performance of perovskite-silicon tandem devices, including the uncertainty in those forecasts.
Reliability is not the final test after innovation. It is the discipline that turns scientific possibility into something the world can trust.
Recognition & service
About me
I trained as an electrical engineer and now work on the reliability of thin-film and semiconductor devices. Photovoltaics has been the main application throughout my research career. I enjoy hands-on technical work as much as analysing data and planning experiments.
My work includes silicon photovoltaics, perovskite thin films, tandem cells and modules, accelerated stress testing, microscopy, failure modelling and digital twins. I also read and write about solar manufacturing, patents, supply chains and market access.
I hold a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the National University of Singapore and a B.E. (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani.
Now
Contact
I welcome conversations about research collaboration, photovoltaic and semiconductor reliability, teaching and practical science projects. I set aside Friday afternoons, Singapore time, for these conversations.