People Behind the Science
868: Engineering Affordable Organic Electronics to Power and Light the World - Dr. Ayse Turak
Why It Matters
Affordable, scalable renewable energy is critical for addressing climate change and energy equity, especially in underserved regions. Turak’s research points to a future where low‑cost, flexible solar technologies could power homes and devices globally, making sustainable energy more accessible and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Key Takeaways
- •Plastic-based solar cells aim for affordable, sustainable energy worldwide
- •Bio‑inspired organic molecules replace petroleum‑derived plastics in electronics
- •International research experiences boost innovation and personal motivation
- •Early travel breaks can rejuvenate scientific career trajectories
- •Ursula Franklin exemplifies science leadership and social activism
Pulse Analysis
Dr. Aisha Turak’s work sits at the intersection of organic electronics and sustainable materials science. She engineers plastic‑based solar cells and light‑emitting diodes that could replace silicon and traditional petro‑chemical plastics, using bio‑inspired semiconductors such as copper thiocyanate and isoindigo derived from dyes and shellfish. By focusing on low‑cost, scalable manufacturing, her research promises affordable renewable energy and ubiquitous lighting for underserved regions, addressing both climate concerns and energy equity. The conversation also highlighted how nanotechnology—manipulating matter at the atomic scale—enables dramatic performance gains in these flexible devices.
Turak’s career trajectory underscores the power of international exposure. After a PhD at the University of Toronto, she pursued a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Max Planck Institute and a visiting professorship in Istanbul, experiences that broadened her scientific perspective and sparked new collaborations. She credits mentors like Ursula Franklin, whose blend of rigorous research and social activism, as well as supportive parents, for shaping her interdisciplinary mindset. These role models illustrate how leadership in engineering physics can extend beyond the lab to champion gender equity and societal impact.
Beyond the lab, Turak emphasizes the strategic value of taking purposeful breaks. Travel across Europe, Turkey, and remote locations such as Yellowknife provided fresh inspiration, allowing her to return to research with renewed curiosity and novel problem‑solving approaches. This philosophy resonates with a growing recognition that sustainable innovation—whether in organic photovoltaics or flexible LEDs—benefits from diverse cultural insights and personal well‑being. For businesses and policymakers, her story signals that investing in affordable, plastic‑based electronics could accelerate global energy access while fostering a resilient, inclusive scientific workforce.
Episode Description
Dr. Ayse Turak is Associate Professor and Associate Undergraduate Chair of the Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University. Ayse develops and studies plastic-based electronic materials, such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Her goal is to create affordable, sustainable, and ubiquitous plastic materials to provide power and light for people around the world. In her free time, Ayse loves to travel, visit new places, see new things, explore new cultures, and seek adventure. She also enjoys theatre, writing, and volunteering with various social justice organizations. Ayse received her B.Sc. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Queens's University and her PhD from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto, where she was a Canada Graduate Scholar. Afterwards, Ayse conducted research as a Marie Curie Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research and subsequently worked as a visiting professor at Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey before joining the faculty at McMaster University. Ayse has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Early Researcher Award, the Petro-Canada Young Innovators Award, and a Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellowship from McMaster University. In addition, she was recently nominated as a Full member at Sigma Xi, and she is the co-chair of the Canadian Chapter of the Society of Information Display. In our interview, Ayse shares more about her life and research.
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