A team of researchers from University College London (UCL) has developed tiny solar cells that operate using artificial indoor light. This means that batteries for our household devices may soon become a thing of the past.
The scientists stated that this discovery has wide-ranging applications. It will allow consumers to power keyboards, alarm systems, or sensors using only the ambient lighting in their homes.
What’s the secret behind this invention?
To capture in the solar cells, the researchers utilized perovskite. This material, already used in other , offers clear advantages over traditional silicon panels. Specifically, according to the study, perovskite absorbs scattered light of lower intensity much more effectively.
“In the long run, perovskite-based solar cells represent a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to batteries,” said Mojtaba Abdi Jalebi, a co-author of the study and a lecturer at UCL’s Institute of Materials Discovery.
“Billions of devices that consume minimal rely on battery replacements, which is an inefficient practice,” he added.
Drawbacks of using perovskite
Perovskite is becoming a popular material for use in solar panels. However, despite its undeniable advantages, it has several drawbacks, primarily related to stability and durability.
The key issue lies in so-called “traps”—tiny defects in the crystal structure of perovskite. These traps cause electrons to get stuck in tiny cracks and recesses within the material, hindering energy utilization. Moreover, these traps not only obstruct the flow of electricity but also accelerate the degradation of the material.
To combat this, the researchers employed a specific combination of chemicals (such as rubidium chloride). This reduced the density of traps and made the crystals more uniform, as reported by Live Science.
“A solar cell with these tiny defects is like a pie that has been cut into pieces. By combining various strategies, we reassembled this pie, making it easier for the charge to pass through,” explained doctoral student Simin Huang, the lead author of the study.
And a bit more about performance advantages
By improving the structure of perovskite, the team found that the new solar cells converted 37.6 percent of the light in a room into electricity. According to the scientists, this was achieved at an illumination level of 1000 lux, which is equivalent to a “well-lit office.”
The study also showed that the durability of the solar cells improved: over 100 days, they maintained 92 percent of their efficiency. In comparison, a control device with original defects in the perovskite retained only 76 percent of its initial efficiency.
Jalebi reported that the team is currently in discussions with industry representatives about strategies for scaling up and commercializing the new solar cells.
“The advantage of perovskite solar cells lies, among other things, in their low cost. They use materials that are abundant on Earth and require only simple processing,” Jalebi said.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
