Project description
Photovoltaics and supercapacitors could keep edge-connected devices on call day or night
The world is charging towards virtually unlimited device connectivity, which, just a few decades ago, seemed like science fiction. The era of the Internet of Things (IoT) will require smart energy approaches to ensure all our edge-connected devices keep working as expected, reliably and sustainably. The EU-funded PHOTALA project has a plan for us. Combining state-of-the-art photovoltaics to harvest energy from readily available ambient light and supercapacitors to store and stabilise the intermittent source, the technology will keep IoT devices humming along happily even in the dark with a minimal carbon footprint.
Objective
The sustainable future of humankind will be possible through energy use optimization, enabled by billions of Internet of things (IoT) devices. In this proposal, I will design an innovative device architecture for energy-autonomous IoT devices, namely Photocapacitor for Ambient Light (PHOTALA), which will be specifically adapted to indoor-light harvesting. The PHOTALA is constituted of 1) a hybrid photovoltaic joined to 2) an electrical double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC) based on the family of polyviologens. Ambient-light offers universally available energy, normally ranging from 100 to 500 lux, which is sufficient to supply the low power densities needed by IoTs. Photovoltaic devices can harvest this energy and use it to design near-perpetual smart IoTs. Hybrid solar cells (HSCs), such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), and perovskite (PSC) solar cells, are a family of emerging photovoltaics with promising properties. DSCs have demonstrated to be one of the best technologies for ambient-light harvesting, outperforming silicon and thin-film technologies. DSCs can be tailored to match the spectra of indoor lightning, and operate at high voltages under low light using copper-based redox mediators. The polyviologen supercapacitor will store intermittent energy with fast charge–discharge steps, high specific power and long-life cycles, successfully providing energy during dark periods. This fellowship will enable a ground-breaking path in the design of self-powered wireless electronic devices, and will enable the researcher to bring together previous knowledge and expertise to the host institution and obtain new knowledge in the field of coordination chemistry, nanotechnology and computer science together with other transferable skills.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet internet of things
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.