CAMPBELL, CA, April 01, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- David Daniel Smith, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Smith has been a senior director at Maxeon Solar Technologies since 2022. He works in the architecture department, where he and his team develop new solar cell structures and technologies, secure patents for these innovations and oversee the manufacturing process. Dr. Smith holds approximately 50 patents and manages a small, dedicated team of engineers skilled in technology development. Additionally, he collaborates with the equipment team, process development team and manufacturing team to ensure the successful implementation of new technologies.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Smith served as a member of the technical staff for SunPower Corporation from 2000 to 2022. There, he experienced many career highlights, the most notable of which occurred when SunPower was an early leader in the solar industry. One of the company's first major initiatives was the development of Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) technology, a type of solar cell design known for increased efficiency and reliability in comparison to traditional solar cells. SunPower deployed the initiative in the Philippines, where Dr. Smith lived for a year, making many friends and meeting the woman who would eventually become his wife.

In November 2004, the team met to discuss field problems and reliability issues, and Dr. Smith was offered a project that would significantly shape his career. Dr. Richard Swanson, the founder of SunPower, encouraged him to take on the project of developing polysilicon contacts in solar cells. For several years thereafter, Dr. Smith worked in near isolation, successfully developing the technology, filing several patents and ultimately turning it into a marketable product. This was more than a decade prior to its adoption by the wider industry. This technology has since revolutionized the solar industry, and Dr. Smith cites his involvement with its development as a contender for his proudest career achievement.

Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Delaware, a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor's degree from Geneva College. From 1998 to 2000, he engaged in postdoctoral pursuits at Sandia National Laboratories.

Dr. Smith recognized from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in science. When he was around 13 years old, he would often sequester himself in his family's basement to read Popular Science magazines. He vividly remembers reading an article about a global information superhighway with rapt attention. An even more fascinating article discussed solar cells and the science of generating electricity from the sun. Years later, when Dr. Smith was in college, he found himself reflecting on his childhood experiences with those magazines, and a goal began to take shape: he wanted to create the best solar cells in the world. Driven by this aspiration, Dr. Smith dedicated himself to making that dream a reality.

Dr. Smith attributes his success to his love and passion for his work. He emphasizes the importance of a hands-on approach and, at 56 years of age, continues to spend time in the laboratory to engage with his work physically. Finally, he notes that it is important to have a clear mission and purpose and to understand the details of any given task, initiative or project.

In his spare time, Dr. Smith enjoys spending time with his children, caring for the family dog and gardening. His civic engagement involves work with The Carter Center. Looking toward the future, Dr. Smith is eager to continue collaborating with the outstanding professionals in his field. He also hopes to see solar technology return to the U.S. within the next five to 10 years, and through his work in the industry, he aims to ensure that it operates at its best.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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