Photocapacitors for Ambient Energy Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Intelligent wireless devices are rapidly evolving into indispensable assistants in numerous facets of our world. Merged with machine learning, wireless sensor networks are poised to advance the interchange of information in smart homes, offices, cities and factories. By 2030, an estimated 30 billion IoT (Internet of Things) devices are expected to be installed, the vast majority of which are to be placed indoors or in diffuse light conditions. IoT devices and wireless sensor nodes (WSN) will need to harvest energy from the environment for long-term deployment and operation. Indoor photovoltaic cells have the potential to provide the required energy. The power needed to operate these devices continues to decrease, while conversion efficiencies and hence the power output of indoor photovoltaic (IPV) cells is rapidly increasing. When located indoors with no access to solar irradiance, IPV cells harvest the energy emitted by artificial light sources, with the illumination intensity typically several orders of magnitude less than sunlight. Dye-sensitized IPV cells have shown considerable progress in terms of light to electricity conversion efficiency of late, with values over 30% measured under 200-1,000~lux light intensity. The collection of ambient light offers vast universally available energy, which can be used to design near-perpetual smart IoT devices. I have already developed the most efficient ambient light photovoltaic technology allowing one to implement artificial intelligence and image classification on self-powered IoT devices.
In this proposal, I introduce a new design and energy paradigm to IoT devices, to maximize their ability to sense, communicate, and predict, powered by a dual-function device, an Energy-Storable Dye-sensitized Solar cell (ES-DSC). This device is a combination of energy harvester (Indoor Photovoltaic) and energy storage (a chemical supercapacitor). The chemical supercapacitor, a device that stores electrical energy in molecules, is based on organic redox materials, which are not only very efficient, but also sustainable and non-toxic. The intermittent character of the energy generation in IPVs will be bridged with the use of chemical supercapacitors to enable the overall IoT device to intermittently bridge periods of darkness for continuous operation. The proposed research focuses on innovating and implementing charge storing electrodes. I will focus on polyviologens, which have the ideal properties for IPV cells, are sustainable for electrical storage, and have not yet been applied in these emerging technologies.
Funding from EPSRC will enable me to translate the favourable properties of polyviologens, firstly, by exploiting the high volumetric capacity of chemical supercapacitors to improve the performance, durability, and functionality of photovoltaic devices. Secondly, I will manipulate the backbone of the polymers to maximise the amount of charge that can be stored within the materials. Consequently, I will be able to fulfil my ambition of developing a new system that uses organic molecules, polyviologens, to integrate energy storage capabilities into solar cells to produce a single device capable of continuously powering electronic equipment during the day and at night. Success in this project will enable high efficiency light harvesting devices to be assembled at low-cost using roll-to-roll assembly, which would have enormous potential for societal and economic impact, including national and local jobs, supply chains, skills, and in reducing carbon emissions and fuel poverty.
In this proposal, I introduce a new design and energy paradigm to IoT devices, to maximize their ability to sense, communicate, and predict, powered by a dual-function device, an Energy-Storable Dye-sensitized Solar cell (ES-DSC). This device is a combination of energy harvester (Indoor Photovoltaic) and energy storage (a chemical supercapacitor). The chemical supercapacitor, a device that stores electrical energy in molecules, is based on organic redox materials, which are not only very efficient, but also sustainable and non-toxic. The intermittent character of the energy generation in IPVs will be bridged with the use of chemical supercapacitors to enable the overall IoT device to intermittently bridge periods of darkness for continuous operation. The proposed research focuses on innovating and implementing charge storing electrodes. I will focus on polyviologens, which have the ideal properties for IPV cells, are sustainable for electrical storage, and have not yet been applied in these emerging technologies.
Funding from EPSRC will enable me to translate the favourable properties of polyviologens, firstly, by exploiting the high volumetric capacity of chemical supercapacitors to improve the performance, durability, and functionality of photovoltaic devices. Secondly, I will manipulate the backbone of the polymers to maximise the amount of charge that can be stored within the materials. Consequently, I will be able to fulfil my ambition of developing a new system that uses organic molecules, polyviologens, to integrate energy storage capabilities into solar cells to produce a single device capable of continuously powering electronic equipment during the day and at night. Success in this project will enable high efficiency light harvesting devices to be assembled at low-cost using roll-to-roll assembly, which would have enormous potential for societal and economic impact, including national and local jobs, supply chains, skills, and in reducing carbon emissions and fuel poverty.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Marina Freitag (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Benesperi I
(2022)
Dynamic dimer copper coordination redox shuttles
in Chem
Blakesley J
(2024)
Roadmap on established and emerging photovoltaics for sustainable energy conversion
in Journal of Physics: Energy
Flores-Diaz N
(2023)
Progress of Photocapacitors.
in Chemical reviews
Hamadani BH
(2023)
2.11 - Accurate characterization of indoor photovoltaic performance.
in JPhys materials
Michaels H
(2023)
Emerging indoor photovoltaics for self-powered and self-aware IoT towards sustainable energy management.
in Chemical science
Michaels H
(2023)
Ambient Photovoltaics for Self-Powered and Self-Aware IoT
Michaels H
(2022)
Assessment of TiO2 Blocking Layers for CuII/I-Electrolyte Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.
in ACS applied energy materials
Michaels H
(2022)
Copper coordination polymers with selective hole conductivity
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Morritt G
(2022)
Coordination polymers for emerging molecular devices
in Chemical Physics Reviews
Pecunia V
(2023)
Roadmap on Energy Harvesting Materials
| Description | 1. Breakthrough in Self-Powered Devices: Our research has led to the development of innovative photocapacitors - devices that can both harvest and store energy from indoor light. These photocapacitors can achieve over 30% efficiency in converting light to usable energy under typical indoor lighting conditions. This is a significant leap forward in creating self-powered devices that don't need batteries or power cords, opening up new possibilities for sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Powering the Internet of Things: We successfully demonstrated a real-world application by powering a complex IoT network for 72 hours using only ambient light. This network performed advanced tasks like image recognition with 93% accuracy, using just 0.81 millijoules of energy per operation. This achievement showcases the potential of our technology to support smart buildings and autonomous sensors without relying on traditional power sources. 2. Sustainable Materials Innovation: Our team developed new, environmentally friendly materials for these devices. We created special molecules called polyviologens that can store electric charge very efficiently. We also used a natural material called chitosan, derived from shellfish, to make membranes that outperform commercial alternatives. These materials not only improve device performance but also align with sustainability goals by reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. 3. Advancing Testing Standards: We contributed to the development of new international testing standards for indoor photovoltaic technologies (IEC TS 62607-7 2:2023). This standardization is crucial for comparing different technologies fairly and accelerating the development of better energy harvesting devices. Our work helps ensure that future innovations in this field can be accurately measured and evaluated. These achievements represent significant steps towards creating more sustainable and efficient technologies for powering the growing number of smart devices in our homes and workplaces. By eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements or wired power connections, our photocapacitor technology could greatly reduce electronic waste and energy consumption in the long term |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this research have potential applications in both academic and industrial sectors: - Our findings will inform further studies in materials science, energy harvesting, and sustainable electronics. Researchers can build upon our work to develop even more efficient photovoltaic materials and energy storage solutions. - Companies developing smart home devices, environmental sensors, or building management systems can integrate our photocapacitor technology to create self-powered, maintenance-free products. - Manufacturers of wearable devices and small electronics could use this technology to extend battery life or eliminate batteries altogether in certain products. - Our sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs align with the goals of companies focused on reducing environmental impact. This could lead to new, eco-friendly product lines. - The development of self-powered medical devices and sensors could revolutionize patient monitoring and telemedicine applications. These advancements can be taken forward through academic publications, industry partnerships, and technology transfer initiatives, potentially leading to commercial products that contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. |
| Sectors | Chemicals Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy |
| Description | The "Photocapacitors for Ambient Energy Applications" project has made significant strides in developing sustainable energy solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), with far-reaching economic and societal impacts. Our research has led to the development of high-performance photocapacitors that integrate dye-sensitized solar cells with asymmetric supercapacitors, achieving remarkable photocharging voltages of up to 920 mV under 1000 lux ambient light, with power conversion efficiencies exceeding 30% . This technology directly addresses the growing electronic waste problem by enabling self-powered devices, projecting a reduction of over 50% in electronic waste. The integration with advanced indoor photovoltaic technologies has demonstrated a 20-fold reduction in energy consumption for IoT systems through AI-driven energy management. Real-world applications include powering a three-layer IoT network for 72 hours using only ambient light, outperforming commercial amorphous silicon modules by 3.5 times in inference throughput. This breakthrough enables energy-autonomous IoT devices for smart buildings, healthcare monitoring, and industrial automation .The project has nucleated new research areas in energy materials and devices, particularly in ambient energy harvesting technologies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Education,Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Title | CCDC 2085154: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination |
| Description | Related Article: Hannes Michaels, Matthias J. Golomb, Byeong Jo Kim, Tomas Edvinsson, Fabio Cucinotta, Paul G. Waddell, Michael R. Probert, Steven J. Konezny, Gerrit Boschloo, Aron Walsh, Marina Freitag|2022|J.Mater.Chem.A|10|9582|doi:10.1039/D2TA00267A |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc27zs12&sid=DataCite |
| Title | CCDC 2085155: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination |
| Description | Related Article: Hannes Michaels, Matthias J. Golomb, Byeong Jo Kim, Tomas Edvinsson, Fabio Cucinotta, Paul G. Waddell, Michael R. Probert, Steven J. Konezny, Gerrit Boschloo, Aron Walsh, Marina Freitag|2022|J.Mater.Chem.A|10|9582|doi:10.1039/D2TA00267A |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc27zs23&sid=DataCite |
| Description | Collaboration with Prof. Segawa, University of Tokyo on Advanced Functional Energy Materials using Polyoxometalates |
| Organisation | University of Tokyo |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | - Developing innovative methodologies for integrating POMs into energy storage and conversion applications, leveraging our expertise in materials science and chemistry. - Conducting joint experiments to explore the potential of POMs in creating high-efficiency, flexible photovoltaic modules, aligning with Prof. Segawa's work on molecular-based solar cells |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Sharing their extensive expertise in photovoltaic power generation systems, particularly in dye-sensitized and organic thin-film solar cells - Providing access to advanced research facilities at the University of Tokyo, including their shared research facility system with various specialized instruments - Contributing to the development of next-generation high-performance photovoltaics using organometalhalide perovskite, which complements our work on POMs for energy applications. - Facilitating the integration of our POM research with their ongoing work on energy-storable solar cells and flexible photovoltaic modules |
| Impact | - Joint research publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journal in preparation, detailing our findings on POM applications in energy materials. - Presentations at international conferences, showcasing our collaborative research on advanced functional energy materials - Establishment of a strong international research network, fostering knowledge exchange between UK and Japanese institutions in the field of polyoxometalate science. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | ACS Spring 2025 Conference Presentations on Polyoxometalates and Energy Materials |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The activity involves two invited presentations at the ACS Spring 2025 conference in San Diego: "Dimensionality control and dynamic dimers in coordination energy materials" in the symposium "Light-Matter Interactions in Molecular Systems and Emerging Semiconductors: Increasing the Dimensionality: Aggregates, 2D and Bulk Materials". "From molecules to devices: copper coordination polymers as next-generation electronic materials" in the "ACS-ENFL Energy Lectureship Awards" symposium. These presentations will showcase our latest research on polyoxometalates and their applications in energy materials. The intended purpose is to disseminate our findings to a broad audience of experts in the field, fostering discussions, potential collaborations, and advancing the understanding of these materials for energy applications. Outcomes may include increased visibility of our research, networking opportunities with international colleagues, and potential collaborations with industry partners or other research groups. The presentations are likely to spark discussions and questions, potentially leading to new research directions or refinements in our current work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Poster Presentation: Flexible Photovoltaics for Ambient IoT Applications at MATSUS Spring 2025 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | David Bradford, a postgraduate researcher (PGR) working on the project "Energy Materials - Flexible Photovoltaics for Ambient IoT applications," presented a poster on the research outcomes at the MASUS Spring 2025 conference in Seville, Spain, on March 5, 2025. The poster presentation showcased the latest findings in flexible photovoltaics for ambient IoT applications, a cutting-edge area of research in energy materials. The intended purpose of this activity was to disseminate research findings to an international audience of experts in the field, foster discussions, and explore potential collaborations. The presentation provided an opportunity for direct interaction with peers, allowing for immediate feedback and exchange of ideas. A significant outcome of this activity was that David Bradford received a poster prize for his presentation. This recognition not only highlights the quality and relevance of the research but also increases the visibility of the project within the international materials science community. The award can be seen as an indicator of the research's potential impact and innovation in the field of flexible photovoltaics and IoT applications. Furthermore, the poster presentation has led to plans for submitting a publication based on the research outcomes, indicating that the conference engagement has contributed to the advancement of the project towards peer-reviewed publication. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition: Showcasing Self-Powered IoT Technologies through FutureBatt |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Our research team from the GENERATION: Self Powered IoT for People and Planet project participated in the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition with our "FutureBatt" exhibit, showcasing next-generation energy harvesting and storage technologies for self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The exhibition ran for seven days at the Royal Society's Carlton House Terrace headquarters in London, attracting approximately 14,000 visitors from diverse backgrounds. The intended purpose of our participation was to communicate our cutting-edge research on sustainable energy solutions to the general public, inspire young people to consider STEM careers, and engage with policymakers and industry representatives about the potential real-world applications of our technology. Our interactive exhibit featured working prototypes of printen electronics and sustainable battery integration, demonstrating how these technologies could enable autonomous environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Visitors could interact with energy-harvesting demonstrations, visualize power generation in real-time, and learn about the environmental benefits of self-powered systems compared to traditional battery technologies. We engaged with approximately 5,000 visitors directly at our stand, including: 25 school groups (approximately 750 students ranging from primary to sixth form) 8000+ general public visitors 30+ policymakers and government representatives 40+ industry professionals 25+ media representatives Outcomes and impacts included: Increased public awareness about sustainable batteries and IoT technologies, with visitor surveys indicating 87% learned something new about energy harvesting Extended media coverage, including features in New Scientist, BBC Science Focus, and The Engineer Three potential industry collaborations initiated during discussions at the event Follow-up invitations to present at two schools and one industry conference Compilation of a public engagement toolkit based on our exhibition materials, now being used across partner universities Two STEM ambassadors recruited from visitors inspired by the research School teachers reported heightened student interest in energy and materials science following their visit, with one school subsequently establishing an "Energy Innovation" after-school club. The exhibition also provided valuable training for 8 PhD students and early career researchers who participated as demonstrators, enhancing their public engagement skills. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://futurebatt.org/ |
| Description | Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As research team, we wanted to share our research on hybrid solar cells with the general public, so we organized an outreach workshop at the Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Society in July 2022. Visitors of all ages were able to build their own solar cell using simple ambient fabrication procedures for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). These DSCs were then integrated into a small IoT device, and the results could be printed on a thermal sticker with a unique QR-code that could be scanned by any mobile phone. Over the course of five days, we were able to create over 1500 berry solar cells, which was well received by the public, especially children. The goal of the workshop was to ignite students' interest by visually demonstrating the conversion of sunshine, electricity, and energy and to encourage them to explore sustainable technologies. We provided an affordable solar cell assembly process and hands-on activities that enabled students to understand the mechanism of power generation. The workshop kit we designed was also suitable for teaching demonstrations supported by teacher-guided explanations, making it accessible for students of all ages. Through our outreach activity, students were able to (1) explain how a dye-sensitized solar cell converts sunlight into electricity; (2) design and build a dye-sensitized solar cell using basic components; (3) maximize the efficiency of their solar cells using various fruit dyes; and (4) measure the voltage and current output of DSCs and integrate them into IoT devices that were connected to the internet. By the end of the workshop, students had a better understanding of the functions of anode, cathode, and electrolyte, and were equipped with the knowledge to pursue further studies in sustainable energy technologies. As a result of the outreach activity, we were able to inspire and motivate students to explore sustainable technologies and pursue further studies in related fields. We believe that by providing an engaging and interactive experience, we were able to contribute to the development of a new generation of scientists who are passionate about sustainability and energy technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | http://www.berrycells.com |