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.
