<p>Currently, I’m doing research in polymers. I never really tried to diversify my research. I’m interested in learning about photovoltics, but my college doesn’t really have a professor that specializes in this area. Maybe I should look outside the department of engineering. But generally, how important is knowledge in the research field for which I’m applying</p>
<p>You should have enough background to know that you do in fact want to study that. And it seems you already have research knowledge in general. Do some reading outside of class on the topics that interest you so you can make a good case of why you want to study and research something that you’ve never researched before. Not just for others who ask you, but for yourself. Do you feel that you know enough about photovoltics to honestly say you’d love to learn about that for the next few years?</p>
<p>Also, as you do research on which graduate advisors/mentors you would like to work with, you should be reading over some of their papers to see whether their interests match yours. You will gain more knowledge about the field in that way as well.</p>