Case Summary:

“[The client’s] work has clear importance for these and other researchers. But it also offers real and practical benefits to the United States as a whole. The increased use of solar energy has long been recognized for its environmental value and further serves to protect the US energy system from the vicissitudes of global petroleum markets. [The client], by providing clear insights into the uses of specific materials in solar cells, and identifying strategies to most efficiently implement them in a range of circumstances, is providing essential support to a vital domestic industry.”

“[The client’s] work in this area has led to numerous advances in our understanding of the relevant phenomena, and thus serve to make widespread and reliable use of solar power an attainable goal. For this reason, even beyond the inherent excellence of his scientific work, it is vitally important that his career receive all available support.”

These recommendations were written by an expert in condensed matter physics working on designing new material systems and improving solar cell technologies. He wanted to harvest solar energy more efficiently to improve the use of solar energy for space and terrestrial applications. The testimonials make it clear that the client was indeed a talented researcher whose work was valuable to the world. While preparing his EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver) case, we also found some of the following data:

• His research proposal is of great importance because it has improved the devices necessary for solar energy collection in extreme environments. He has proven the stability of perovskite solar cells in scenarios of high radiation and extreme temperatures, which has broadened their capacity for use in space.
• His endeavor also has broad implications for the United States where according to the Solar Energy Technologies Office, solar power generation within the United States has grown, producing enough energy annually to power 18 million homes.
• Due to its clear national importance, his research has also been supported with funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), the Engineering Research Center of the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
• Not only this, but his research has resulted in 8 peer-reviewed journal articles (3 of them first-authored) and 7 conference publications (2 of them first-authored) which publications have been cited a total of 40 times according to Google Scholar.
• We also found that he has pursued research directly related to his proposed endeavor for more than 5 years.

All of these factors helped his case get the NIW approval that he deserved. We are glad that we could be of assistance to him in this case and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.