Brendan Kayes

Brendan Kayes has a wealth of experience in the energy industry. Brendan began their career in 2002 as a Grad Student at the California Institute of Technology, where they worked with Profs. Harry A. Atwater and Nathan S. Lewis. In 2006, they took on an Internship at BP Solar, where they used lab metrology and mathematical modeling to develop predictive methods for determining from dark I-V measurements alone whether a silicon solar cell will perform well in the light. In 2008, they joined Alta Devices as a Member of Technical Staff, Senior Engineer, and Engineering Scientist, leading Alta's device team to then single-junction and dual-junction, 1-sun, solar cell efficiency world records of 28.8% and 30.8%, respectively. In 2013, they moved to Avogy Inc. as a Member of Technical Staff. In 2014, they returned to Alta Devices as Director of Device Technology, responsible for developing and delivering upon the company's single- and multijunction solar cell efficiency improvement roadmaps, as well as for the development of solar cells for space (extraterrestrial) applications. Brendan managed Alta Devices' Device Development, Process Development, Process Integration, Product Development, Failure Analysis, and Reliability teams, as well as managing Alta Devices' IP portfolio. In 2019, they joined Antora Energy as Head of TPV R&D, leading Antora Energy's efforts in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell and module development.

Brendan Kayes began their education in 1993 at the Auckland Grammar School. Brendan then attended The University of Auckland from 1997 to 2001, where they earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physics. Brendan continued their studies at Caltech, earning a PhD in Applied Physics in 2008.