Biography:

Bedair pioneered the field of Multijunction (MJ) solar cells. He was the first to realize the limitations of the single junction solar cell and their inefficient utilization and absorption of the solar spectrum. Bedair?s MJ solar cell invention was the first to demonstrate that high conversion efficiency, from solar to electric energy, can be achieved by stacking several solar cells in series in an MJ structure. Such structures make better utilization of the solar spectrum and can double the current conversion efficiency. In 1979, Bedair?s group reported the first Multijunction solar cell, his students, and postdoctoral fellows were instrumental in achieving the current record conversion efficiency of 44%. This is the highest conversion efficiency ever reported by any energy conversion technology to generate electric energy. MJ solar cells have about twice the conversion efficiency of silicon cells, the most widely used solar cell approach. All satellite and space communication electrical systems are currently powered by the MJ solar cell, pioneered by Bedair. The MJ structure is currently penetrating terrestrial applications, especially at high solar concentrations.

Bedair is also active in the field of Solid State Lighting (SSL) for energy saving. Conventional lighting sources, such as incandescent and compact fluorescence lamps are not efficient at converting electric energy to light. These traditional lighting sources constitute a heavy burden on the electric power grid, especially during the peak hours. Solid State Lighting is a new, emerging technology that aims to produce more efficient lighting sources, and replace both incandescent and fluorescent lamps. SSL is more efficient than incandescent and the fluorescent lamps, respectively, in converting electrical energy to optical energy. For the same light output, SSL consumes much less electric power compared to the current technology. It can be claimed that replacing traditional lighting sources with SSL can result in major energy savings and reduction of electric power consumption for lighting by about one?third in developed countries.

Education:
BSc Electrical Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt (1960)
MSc Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA (1966)
PhD Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA (1969)

Employment:
1982-present: Distinguished Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NCSU
1970-1982: Department Head, Nuclear Engineering Department, Alexandria University, Egypt, Professor (1980), Associated Professor (1975) and Assistant Professor

Honors and Awards:
1998: Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professor
1993: Fellow IEEE
1992: RJ Reynaldo Award for Excellence in Research, Education and Extension
1990: Department of Energy Award
1988: Alcoa Distinguished Research.


Scholarly Activities Refereed publications: 300 PhD students supervised: 47 Number of citations: 5000

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