Revolutionizing Indoor Tech: New Perovskite Solar Cells Could Eliminate Batteries
Imagine a world where your remote control or keyboard never needs a battery change. A groundbreaking development from an international team led by researchers at University College London (UCL) might make that a reality. They've created advanced solar cells using a material called perovskite, which efficiently converts indoor light into energy.
Perovskite is already recognized for its role in outdoor solar panels, but its potential for indoor use is now being unlocked. Unlike traditional silicon-based panels, perovskite's structure can be fine-tuned to absorb the wavelengths of light typically found indoors.
One challenge with perovskite has been tiny imperfections known as 'traps' in its crystal structure, which can capture electrons and prevent them from contributing to electricity generation. These traps not only hinder performance but also lead to quicker degradation over time. However, the UCL team has discovered a way to minimize these defects using a mix of specific chemicals.
According to Dr. Mojtaba Abdi Jalebi, a senior researcher on the project, these new solar cells are about six times more efficient than the best available indoor solar technology today. They have the potential to last over five years, far surpassing previous prototypes that only lasted weeks or months.
“The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things means more devices needing power, and replacing batteries isn't sustainable,” explains Dr. Abdi Jalebi. “Our perovskite cells offer a more durable and cost-effective solution, using materials abundant on Earth that can even be printed like a newspaper.”
The research team, including Siming Huang, a PhD student at UCL, achieved a world record by converting 37.6% of indoor light into electricity. Their solution involves a combination of chemicals, including rubidium chloride, which helps form more uniform perovskite crystals, reducing the troublesome traps.
Furthermore, they added organic ammonium salts, namely N,N-dimethyloctylammonium iodide and phenethylammonium chloride, to stabilize the material's ions, preventing them from deteriorating battery performance.
This breakthrough could revolutionize how we power small electronics indoors, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional batteries. The team is now working with industry partners to bring this technology to the market.