Advanced Smart Biomaterials and Energy Research Group
News - 2026
📢 Our Research on PV Recycling Featured in PV Magazine Global!
We are proud to announce that our latest study on the sustainable recovery of solar energy materials has gained international recognition! Our research, conducted within the ASBERG Research Group, was recently featured in PV Magazine Global. 📰✨
This success highlights our commitment to circular economy and green energy transitions at the Ege University Solar Energy Institute. We congratulate our researchers for their hard work and dedication to advancing PV recycling technologies.
Read the full article here:
🔬 New Publication: Solvent-Free Delamination of PV Modules via Ultrasonic Cavitation
Our latest study on an innovative PV recycling method, solvent-free delamination of PV modules using ultrasonic cavitation, has been published in Sustainable Materials and Technologies (Elsevier). The study is based on the PhD research of Dr. Aslı Birtürk.
Key findings of the study:
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Ultrasonic cavitation enables PV module delamination with 82.2% mass-based efficiency.
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The EVA layer exhibits the highest deformation, facilitating separation from c-Si and glass.
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The process achieves a reduction in global warming potential (GWP) of −5.75 kg CO₂ eq.
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The method is a 100% solvent-free, environmentally friendly approach for PV delamination.
You can access the article here:
International Academic Collaboration at ASBERG: A Research Journey in the Netherlands🌍✈️
Our PhD student, Yasemin Özliman Farımaz, is expanding the horizons of her academic work through the prestigious TÜBİTAK 2214-A Research Fellowship. Farımaz will be joining Maastricht University in the Netherlands as a visiting researcher for six months. During this period, she will conduct advanced experimental research on innovative energy technologies as part of her doctoral thesis. As the ASBERG team, we congratulate our student and wish her a highly productive and successful research stay.
News - 2025
BETUL AKSOY'S SUCCESSFUL THESIS DEFENSE
🎓 We are pleased to announce the graduation of our Master’s student, Betül Aksoy.
📅 In December 2025, Engin completed his master’s studies by submitting and defending his thesis, conducted within the scope of the project “Investigation of the cooling effect of phase change material integrated photovoltaic systems”.
We sincerely congratulate him on this academic achievement and wish him continued success in his future career. 🚀🌱
ENGIN DENIZ'S SUCCESSFUL THESIS DEFENSE
🎓 We are pleased to announce the graduation of our Master’s student, Engin Deniz.
📅 In December 2025, Engin successfully completed his master’s studies by submitting and defending his thesis, conducted within the scope of the project “Sustainable Solar Energy: Exploring the Carbon Implications of Critical Mineral Use in Solar Photovoltaic Systems.”
We sincerely congratulate him on this academic achievement and wish him continued success in his future career. 🚀🌱
🌍 We Participated in the "Circularity and Recovery in the Turkish Photovoltaic Sector Workshop"
🔬 Prof. Dr. Melih Soner ÇELİKTAŞ represented ASBERGLab at the “Circularity and Recovery in the Turkish Photovoltaic Sector Workshop,” an event organized to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency in Turkey's photovoltaic sector. ♻️
At this important platform, held in collaboration with the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK), Ahiler Development Agency, ODTÜ-GÜNAM, and GÜNDER, Prof. Dr. Melih Soner ÇELİKTAŞ gave a presentation titled “PV panel recovery and upcycling within the scope of circular economy.”
In the presentation, the current studies from our research group and our innovative approaches in this field were shared with the participants.
On behalf of ASBERGLab, we extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Tayfun Hız and Mr. Faruk Er for their kind invitation, which provided the opportunity to share our group's scientific outputs.
🎉CONGRATULATIONS, YASEMİN!🎉
We are delighted to announce that our PhD student Yasemin Özliman Farımaz's thesis project titled “Production and Characterization of Aerogel for Use in Energy Applications” has been awarded support under the TÜBITAK 2211-C (Domestic Doctoral Fellowship Program for Priority Fields).
We wish Yasemin continued success in her research and look forward to the contributions this support will bring to her work. 👏
WENERGY CLEAN ENERGY EXPO 2025
As the ASBERG, we attended the panel titled “Transition to Sustainable Business Models: Transformation Processes, Reporting, and Current Approaches”, where our advisor Prof. Dr. Melih Soner Çeliktaş was a distinguished speaker.
During this valuable event focused on clean energy, sustainability, and transformation strategies, we had the opportunity to gain insights into current approaches and listen to leading academics in the field. It was a great pleasure for us to take part in WENERGY 2025. 🌱⚡
ASLI BIRTURK'S SUCCESSFUL THESİS DEFENSE
🎓We are delighted to announce the graduation of our PhD student Aslı Birtürk.
📅In April 2025, Aslı successfully defended her dissertation titled "Up-and-Coming Contribution to Critical Mineral Requirements: Developing an Environmentally Conscious Process in Photovoltaic Module Recycling" and completed her doctoral studies.
We sincerely congratulate her on this significant academic achievement and wish her continued success in her future career!🚀🌱
Asberg Lab at Global Conferences: Advancing Sustainability & Recycling!
Between March 4-9, 2025, Asberg Lab actively contributed to two major conferences on sustainability. At the World Sustainable Energy Days, Aslı Birtürk presented her research on “Subcritical Water Delamination for Photovoltaic Modules: A Promising Path to Efficient Recycling of Critical Minerals.” Later, at the 5th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming, Betül Aksoy shared insights on “Next-Generation Approaches to PV Recycling Fostering Green Technology and Production.” We are proud to be part of the global effort toward a greener future! 🌱🔬
Celebrating Academic Achievements 🎓
We are proud to announce that two of our valued colleagues, Engin Deniz and Farshid Khosravi, have successfully completed their master’s seminars. We sincerely congratulate them on this significant achievement.
News - 2024
10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASBERG
This year, we proudly celebrate the 10thANNIVERSARY of the ASBERG Research Group! 🌍 Over the past 10 years, we have achieved significant milestones in energy, environmental, and sustainability research, along with numerous awards. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our collaborators and the ASBERG team for their support on this journey of success! Special thanks to our advisor, Prof. Dr. Melih Soner Celiktas, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in establishing and growing ASBERG.📊
In these 10 years, we have accomplished:
📄 90+ scientific publications
🌍 15+ projects
🎓 20+ master's and PhD theses
The ASBERG Lab family continues to grow! 🎓💼 We invite passionate and eager researchers interested in pursuing master's, doctoral, or post-doctoral studies in energy, environment, and sustainability to join us! 🌱 Here’s to many more successful years ahead!
BETUL AKSOY'S SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
We are pleased to congratulate Betül Aksoy on successfully completing a three-month internship with Monolithos Catalysts & Recycling Ltd. in Athens, Greece, as part of the RIS Internship Programme.
During her internship with the Waste Valorization Group, Ms. Aksoy contributed to significant work on the valorization of critical raw materials recovered from end-of-life catalytic converters. Her efforts reflect her dedication to advancing sustainable resource management.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR DR. MERVE UYAN
ASBERG Research Group is excited to share that dear Dr. Merve Uyan has officially embarked on her post-doctoral journey in the United States at the University of Kentucky 's Center for Applied Energy Research! Her focus on hollow fiber production using wet spinning promises new strides in energy innovation. Merve, no matter where your work takes you, you’ll always be a source of pride for us!
ASES SOLAR 2024
Celebrating PhD Candidate Aslı Birtürk for the conference participation and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) scholarship!
Her focus was on Life Cycle Assessment research in PV Recycling.
SADIK CAN KARAGOZ'S SUCCESSFUL THESİS DEFENSE
He successfully completed his thesis within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1001 project, demonstrating innovative contributions to the field of recycling through both academic research and private sector applications. We are confident that he will continue to achieve outstanding success in his professional career.
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A NEW CHAPTER FOR DR. MUGE ALPTEKIN
We are delighted to celebrate a new beginning for one of our valued team members. Dr. Müge Alptekin will continue her academic journey as a postdoctoral researcher at the Università degli Studi di Brescia, Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, in Italy. Her research will focus on the characterization of industrial waste and CO₂ adsorption.
GAMZE MERSİN'S SUCCESSFUL THESİS DEFENSE
We are pleased to announce that Gamze Mersin has successfully defended her master’s thesis, titled “Solar Energy Production Estimation with the Help of Artificial Intelligence and Comparative Analysis of Actual Production Values and Design Program Outputs.”
Ms. Mersin’s research emphasizes the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning models to enhance the accuracy of solar energy production forecasts. Her work includes a comparative analysis of traditional design program outputs and actual production data from solar power plants, contributing valuable insights to the field of renewable energy.
THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
"The Sustainable Future of Renewable Energy" at the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, supported by the TUBITAK 2237-A program, has been successfully completed with great enthusiasm!
We wish success in the career journeys to all participants who are interested in science and exert effort to progress in this path.
We are honored to extend our gratitude to all the speakers who contributed and to our team ASBERG who played important roles in organizing the event!
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS
2 distinguished PhDs (Muge Alptekin and Merve Uyan) hail from ASBERG!
Out of 41 researchers selected for the young energy researchers section at World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (#WSED), held in Vienna, Wels, where over 650 participants from 60+ countries gathered.
Cheers to Muge Alptekin and Merve Uyan for their insightful presentation titled "Hazelnut Shell vs. Miscanthus Giganteus: Green Qdot Efficiency Comparison".
SABANCI HACKATHON
Among the teams competing in the 48-hour hackathon using machine learning algorithms within the scope of Advanced Data Analytics, the team including Gamze Mersin from our ASBERG group was awarded the first prize with the best prediction score and data interpretation presentations.
News - 2023
THE FIRST R&D STUDIES IN SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING
The first R&D studies in this field in Türkiye, carried out at Ege University Solar Energy Institute, aim to recycle photovoltaic panels and prevent the risk of waste in the future. Detailed information on the studies, the first articles of which have been published in national and international journals, can be found in the link below.
BEST ORAL PRESENTATION
Celebrating PhD Candidate Aslı Birtürk for Best Oral Presentation. Titled 'Ongoing Waste Issue Towards the Development of Photovoltaic Module Recycling Regulations,' was awarded the Best Oral Presentation at the 5th 2023 International Conference on Sustainable Development and Green Technology in Leuven, Belgium.
GLOBAL CONFERENCE on GLOBAL RENEWABLE ENERGY and CLIMATE CHANGE
Our dedicated PhD candidates Merve Uyan, Yasemin Özliman Farımaz and Muge Alptekin are making a significant impact at the Global Conference on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (ICGRECC-23) in Italy, thanks to their three remarkable scientific presentations, which earned them the prestigious COST Action supports.
FIRST MEETING OF THE SEMESTER
ASBERG Lab Boosted Its Motivation with the First Meeting of the Semester!
Distance disappeared thanks to online connection for friends who couldn’t attend in person!
HOW BIG IS MY FOOT ?
Muge Alptekin , just delivered a compelling presentation titled 'How Big Is My Foot?' in Lithuania as part of the YE Sustainable YOU(th) project co-funded by the European Union, shedding light on Earth Overshoot Day.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE of YOUNG SCIENTISTS on ENERGY and NATURAL SCIENCES ISSUES
Muge Alptekin and Merve Uyan have made a significant contribution to ASBERG's dynamism, earning acceptance at the prestigious 19th International Conference of Young Scientists on Energy and Natural Sciences Issues - 2023 in Lithuania.
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS
'PV-module recycling solutions for increased sustainability' was prepared by Aslı Birtürk, Sadık KARAGÖZ, Betül Aksoy.
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS
'Bio-based phase change materials for thermal energy storage in buildings' by Ecem Şen, Muammer Bali.
News - 2022
USDA - NIFA AWARD
Dr. Nurhan Dunford, Professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK, received a USDA-NIFA Award through the South-Central Sun Grant Program’s Center Competitive Grants Program to conduct a study that will develop a thermal energy storage (TES) system using underutilized resources in Oklahoma. (October 28, 2022)
BEST for SOLAR IDEATHON
Best for Solar Ideathon - 22-23 October 2022, Ege University Solar Energy Instıtute, 1.st prize with the project titled " Recycling of Crystalline Silicon ( c-Si ) Photovoltaic Panels "
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ASBERG MEETING
ASBERG Lab Boosted Its Motivation with the First Meeting of the Semester!
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EGE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE WORKSHOP
Workshop with international participation, Difficulties of Preparing the Spent Coffee Grounds, Spent Tea Wastes and Plant Residues for Pelletizing and Pyrolysis Process (Ege University-2022)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER and ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
ASBERG's contribution to the International Conference on Electrical, Computer, and Energy Technologies - 2022, includes a presentation by Dilan Deniz Demir. Join us in illuminating the path to a brighter future.
CAREER EVENTS in EGE UNIVERSITY SOLAR ENERGY INSTITUTE
Reflecting on the enlightening session with Prof. Dr. Nurhan Turgut Dunford, a distinguished visiting academic from Oklahoma State University, on 'Bioprocessing within an Integrated System' from our 2022 Career Events July Program at Ege University Solar Energy Institute.
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS
ASBERG Working Group Continues to Shine at World Sustainable Energy Days! It's a tremendous honor to present at Young Energy Researchers in Wels, Austria, as part of the conference in 2022 in Wels, Austria. (Ecem Şen)
News - 2021
BEST for HYDROGEN IDEATHON
ASBERG's 2021 Triumph as HydroS team: Leading the Way in Hydrogen and Energy Innovation with the project idea 'Hydrogen In a Nutshell.' Recognized as the BEST for Energy Ideathon, supported by the European Union! (Merve Uyan, Muge Alptekin, Dilvin Cebi)
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS
Poster Presentation titled "A Bibliometric Analysis for Academic Research on Biomass Energy in Turkey and Industrial Applications"
