Hi, I'm Manasi.

An applied optoelectronics researcher passionate about using science to inform and produce sustainable real-life technologies.

With over 5 years of experience in semiconductors device research, I approach complex technical problems with a collaborative and methodical mindset. Interested in domains where scientific insight informs application-oriented work, I currently focus on the scientific challenges that limit the wider use of carbon-based sensing technologies, like organic solar cells or photodetectors.

Work experience

August 2025 to present

Post-doctoral researcher

University of Potsdam, Germany

December 2021 to October 2025

Doctoral researcher

University of Potsdam, Germany

January 2020 to August 2021

Research scientist

Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India

August 2019 to October 2019

Research and development intern

Heliatek GmbH (photovoltaic manufacturer), Germany

Education

2025

Doctor of Science (Dr. rer. nat)

Soft matter physics and optoelectronics

University of Potsdam, Germany

2019

Master of Science

Erasmus Mundus Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

KU Leuven, Belgium & TU Dresden, Germany

2016

Bachelor of Technology

Electronics and communication engineering

Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology, JNTUH, Hyderabad, India

More than just a researcher...

Team-player
Storyteller
Science enthusiast
Mentor

What I bring to the table

Hands-on experience in complex data analysis, optoelectronic devices fabrication and characterisation, and experimental troubleshooting
Flair for communicating complex scientific ideas clearly across technical and non-technical audiences
Passion for contributing to planet-friendly technological solutions grounded in science

Key scientific outcomes

Further publications

J. L. Langentepe-Kong, M. Pranav, S. Shoaee & D. Neher. “Dark side of organic solar cells: How triplet excitons shape recombination and efficiency limits”, PRX Energy (2025) (https://doi.org/10.1103/vsgd-ktnh)
Q.Q. Zhang, M. Pranav, D.-L. Ma, B. Siegmund, Y. Xu, Y. Wang, M. van Landeghem, H. Chen, C.-Z. Li, D. Neher & K. Vandewal. “Balancing driving force, charge transport, and non-radiative recombination in organic solar cells with non-fused ring acceptors”, EES Sol., 2026, Advance Article (2025) (https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EL00136F)
S. Yadav, M. Pranav, C. Gangadharappa, M. Huss-Hansen, M. Schwartzkopf, J. Kjelstrup-Hansen, M. Knaapila & S. Patil. "Rational third component choices drive enhanced morphology and efficiency in ternary blend organic solar cells", ACS Energy Lett., 9, 10, 5259 (2024) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.4c02218)
B. Sun, N. Tokmoldin, O. Alqahtani, A. Patterson, C. S. P De Castro, D. B. Riley, M. Pranav, A. Armin, F. Laquai, B. A. Collins, D. Neher & S. Shoaee. “Toward more efficient organic solar cells: A detailed study of loss pathway and its impact on overall device performance in low-offset organic solar cells”, Adv. Energy Mater. 13, 2300980. (2023) (https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202300980)
G. He, B. Mayberry, M. Pranav, M. S. Shadabroo, B. Sun, Y. Cao, S. Shoaee, M. Stolterfoht, D. Neher& F. Lang. “Performance-limiting factors in ultralow-bandgap PTB7-Th: COTIC-4F-based organic solar cells”, ACS Energy Lett., 8, 10, 3980–3988 (2023) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.3c01444)
A. A. Mohapatra, M. Pranav, S. Yadav, C. Gangadharappa, J. Wu, C. Labanti, J. Wolansky, J. Benduhn, J.-S. Kim, J. Durrant & S. Patil. "Interface engineering in perylene diimide-based organic photovoltaics with enhanced photovoltage", ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 15, 21, 25224 (2023) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c02003)
M. Nyman, C. Ahläng, S. Dahlström, M. Pranav, J. Benduhn, S. Qudsia, J.-H. Smått, D. Spoltore & R. Österbacka. "Highly conductive charge transport layers impair charge extraction selectivity in thin-film solar cells", Adv. Energy Sustainability Res., 4, 2300030 (2023) (https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202300030)
M. Pranav, J. Benduhn, M. Nyman, S. M. Hosseini, J. Kublitski, S. Shoaee, D. Neher, K. Leo & D. Spoltore. "Enhanced charge selectivity via anodic-C60 layer reduces non-radiative losses in organic solar cells", ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 13, 10, 12603 (2021) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c00049)