Hybrid Photocapacitors for Ambient Light Applications

Project Information

PHOTALA

Grant agreement ID: 101028536

DOI

10.3030/101028536

Project closed

EC signature date 19 February 2021

Start date 1 May 2021

End date 11 May 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 212 933,76

EU contribution

€ 212 933,76

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PHOTALA (Hybrid Photocapacitors for Ambient Light Applications)

Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2023-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The PHOTALA project, spearheaded by Newcastle University, tackled the challenge of optimizing energy use for the myriad of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). The primary objective was the development of a self-sustaining device architecture, called the Photocapacitor for Ambient Light (PHOTALA), specifically designed for indoor-light harvesting. This innovative design comprised a hybrid photovoltaic linked to an electrical double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC) rooted in polyviologen family materials.

Addressing this challenge was crucial because as our society increasingly relies on IoT devices, the demand for energy-efficient and self-sustaining power solutions escalates. Devices that can harvest ambient indoor light and convert it to electricity are an environmentally-friendly, long-term solution for powering the rapidly proliferating IoT devices.

The project aimed to harness the promising features of hybrid solar cells (HSCs), such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Notably, DSCs have shown to be one of the most effective technologies for ambient-light harvesting, outperforming silicon and thin-film technologies. Dr Flores Diaz tailored DSCs to match the spectra of indoor lighting, operating at high voltages under low light using copper-based redox mediators. Additionally, the polyviologen supercapacitor was designed to store intermittent energy, providing power during dark periods with fast charge-discharge steps, high specific power, and long-life cycles.

At the project's conclusion, the PHOTALA lead DR Natalie Flores Diaz successfully achieved her objectives. The resulting Photocapacitor for Ambient Light brought us a step closer to a future where billions of IoT devices can operate in a near-perpetual, energy-autonomous state, significantly contributing to energy use optimization and supporting a more sustainable future.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the course of the PHOTALA project, Natalie and the team worked diligently to fulfill the outlined objectives, designing an innovative device architecture known as the Photocapacitor for Ambient Light (PHOTALA), particularly adapted for indoor light harvesting. The PHOTALA device is a combination of a hybrid photovoltaic linked to an electrical double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC) built on the family of polyviologens.

One of the project's significant achievements was the tailoring of Dye-sensitized solar

cells (DSCs) to match the spectrum of indoor lighting, demonstrating their ability to operate at high voltages even under low light conditions. This was accomplished using copper-based redox mediators. In conjunction, an advanced supercapacitor was developed using polyviologens, which showed a superior ability to store intermittent energy, allowing for high specific power and long-life cycles even during periods without light.

As part of the project's output, Natalie authored three manuscripts. One of these, entitled "Progress of Photocapacitors", was accepted by the highly regarded journal Chemical Reviews, while the other two are currently under peer review. These publications played a significant role in disseminating the project's findings to the broader scientific community.

Natalie also actively participated in disseminating the project's progress and achievements to the broader public. She co-organized the Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Society in 2022. The event, titled “Berry Solar Cells” From making solar cells to powering IoT, drew over 13,000 visitors, including 2,000 school students. The exhibition's coverage through TV, media, and online platforms further extended its reach, raising awareness about the project's research and its affiliation with Newcastle University.

In addition to this, Natalie attended three international conferences where she presented the project's preliminary results, facilitating international dialogue about the research and fostering connections within the scientific community. This combination of public engagement, academic publishing, and conference presentations ensured that the results of the PHOTALA project were widely disseminated, reaching both academic audiences and the general public.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Throughout the course of the PHOTALA project, significant advancements were made, transcending the existing state of the art in photovoltaics and energy storage for IoT devices. Natalie, the primary researcher, developed an innovative device architecture for energy-autonomous IoT devices, the Photocapacitor for Ambient Light (PHOTALA), that capitalized on ambient indoor light for energy harvesting.

A refinement process was carried out on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) to optimally function under low light conditions, specifically tailoring them to the spectrum of indoor lighting using copper-based redox mediators.

In terms of energy storage, Natalie pushed the boundaries by creating an electrical double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC) based on the polyviologen family. This supercapacitor stored intermittent energy harvested from ambient light, showcasing rapid charge-discharge steps, high specific power, and long-life cycles. The ability to provide energy during periods of darkness proved crucial for maintaining the uninterrupted operation of IoT devices.

By the end of the project, a fully developed PHOTALA device was realized. This device, capable of efficiently harvesting and storing energy from ambient light, ensured a continuous power supply for IoT devices. The successful implementation of the PHOTALA device served to validate the viability of hybrid solar cells like DSCs for ambient light harvesting and potentially triggered new avenues in the photovoltaic research landscape.

The PHOTALA project's impacts extended beyond academic advancements, offering several socio-economic and broader societal benefits. By enabling energy-autonomous IoT devices, the project contributed to increased energy efficiency and overall reduced energy demand. This outcome directly aligned with global initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable resource usage.

In societal terms, the introduction of self-powered IoT devices offered the potential to further streamline daily routines and promote convenience. The project's public engagement activities, including the Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Society, showcased the real-world applicability and benefits of sustainable energy solutions, encouraging societal commitment to sustainability.

Finally, Natalie actively disseminated knowledge through academic contributions, including manuscripts submitted to esteemed journals like Chemical Reviews. One of these manuscripts, titled "Progress of Photocapacitors," was accepted, and two others were under peer review. Natalie's contributions not only propelled further research and innovation in the field of sustainable energy solutions but also ensured the successful completion of the PHOTALA project objectives.

picture-summary.png