Within the scope of the SUNGEL: Advanced Thin-Film Solar Technology project carried out in collaboration between the United Kingdom and Türkiye, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) hosted the UK principal investigator of the project, Prof. Andy Augousti (Kingston University), in its laboratories. The visit took place prior to the ISPF UK–Turkey Showcase Event held in Istanbul on 6 November.

During the visit to the ITU Energy Institute Radiation Detection and Measurement Laboratory and other related laboratories, a comprehensive technical review was conducted regarding the research activities carried out within the project. As part of the programme, the following laboratories were visited, and experimental setups related to the development of semiconductor-based thin-film photovoltaic structures were introduced on-site:

• Radiation applications (ITU Energy Institute),
• Polymer synthesis laboratory (ITU ATUM),
• Thin-film coating and characterization infrastructure (ITU Materials Engineering).

Research Assistant Hilal Macun Elmalı and Lecturer Büşra Günalan from the SUNGEL project team presented in detail the experimental processes and laboratory infrastructures they use in their doctoral research. During the visit, samples developed within the project were handed over to Prof. Augousti for joint characterization and evaluation studies.

The SUNGEL project, led by Prof. Dr. Nilgün Baydoğan, contributes to strengthening joint research capacity between universities in Türkiye and the United Kingdom in the fields of sustainable energy and advanced materials.

Prof. Baydoğan expressed her gratitude to Prof. Dr. Bihter Zetuncu Gökoğlu and Dr. Türkan Doğan for their contributions to thin-film research, and to Dr. Lecturer Faiz Muhaffel for his support in the thin-film coating and characterization laboratory.

The visit was carried out with the support of the ISPF Programme and the UK Science & Technology Network, representing an important step in strengthening scientific collaboration and technical interaction between the two countries. Research conducted in thin-film, polymer synthesis, and radiation applications laboratories was presented during the visit.

Photos from Prof. Andy Augousti's visit to the ITU laboratory as part of the SUNGEL project in the UK ISPF Program. During the visit, research conducted in the thin film, polymer synthesis, and radiation applications laboratories were presented.