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Nicholas Rolston

Assistant Professor, School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering

Nick's research group focuses on developing next-generation renewable energy devices—with a focus on printable thin-film photovoltaics and batteries—using high-throughput processing and reliability-based characterization.

Recent stories

Assistant Professor Nicholas Rolston and undergraduate researcher Sidra Elsaady working together in a solar energy laboratory at ASU. Rolston, wearing a blue button-down shirt, points at a piece of equipment while Elsaady, wearing a lab coat and safety glasses, observes. The background features various scientific instruments and a yellow chemical safety cabinet used for their research on self-healing solar cells.

Nick Rolston’s proposal to explore the potential of perovskite solar panels on orbiting satellites has been selected for the 2025 Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program award.

A high-tech artist's rendering of the WGS-11+ satellite in Earth's orbit. The satellite is shown with its Protected Tactical Satcom payload and large, gleaming solar panels deployed, reflecting sunlight against the dark backdrop of space and the blue curve of the Earth. This rendering illustrates the advanced space photovoltaics research conducted by the ASU School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE).

ASU researchers pursue innovations in solar space power and propulsion as part of university consortium.

Photo of Hannah Collins

The Summer Research Initiative, or SURI, gives participants an eight-week interlude into the day-to-day pursuit of a full-time doctoral degree.

Nick Rolston with undergraduate student Daniel Abreau in lab

ASU’s Nick Rolston looks to revolutionize sustainable harvesting of critical materials in mining and from the ocean through a pair of research grants.

Additional stories

Nick Rolston in lab

Setting new standards for materials testing

ASU researcher Nick Rolston received an NSF CAREER Award to advance perovskite solar technology and further develop the field's workforce.
Marco Casareto working in a lab

Deducing degradation causes in perovskites

ASU researcher Nick Rolston received a grant from the U.S. DOE to explore a potential cause of perovskite solar panel degradation.
Krishna Badrinath reads a book in the library.

Essential Reading: Books offering an expansive array of enriching experiences

Overcoming hardship, unlocking one’s potential, facing climate catastrophe, and a pandemic that birthed modern medicine are among topics of books recommended by Fulton Schools faculty and staff.
ASU student Henry Nakaana works in a lab for his FURI research project.

Meet student researchers advancing energy and sustainability solutions

Undergraduate students in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU conduct use-inspired research to address real-world challenges.
A satellite is shown in space above Earth.

Taking batteries B-LO Zero

ASU researcher Nick Rolston is collaborating with Swiss researchers to develop solid-state batteries that can survive extreme temperatures in space.
Electrical engineering major Jacob Burrows works on a FURI research project to improve semiconductor performance and longevity.

Meet student researchers advancing batteries, semiconductors and additive manufacturing

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU conduct use-inspired research to address real-world challenges.
A crowd gathers near an electric autonomous vehicle on the ASU campus at an event

A solid battery solution

ASU faculty member Candace Chan is working to improve battery safety, longevity and storage capacity by researching solid-state technology.
Researchers in Arizona State University’s MacroTechnology Works

ASU researchers TEAMUP to advance solar capabilities

ASU researchers take part in a consortium of academic and industry partners to advance tandem solar cell technology made from silicon and perovskite.

In the media

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