How light and movement could power smart buildings of the future
Research from the University of St 糖心logo has unravelled energy harvesting potential using light and movement, discovering the makeup and methods used to generate electricity using an emerging family of semiconductors.
Published in鈥�, the research explores the potential of鈥痩ow-dimensional halide perovskites — demonstrating their ability to convert ambient energy into electricity through multiple mechanisms, including鈥痯hotovoltaic,鈥痯iezoelectric,鈥痜erroelectric, and鈥痯yroelectric effects.
These properties are useful in energy storage, memory devices and in heat energy harvesting.
Energy Harvesting refers to converting the freely available energy in the ambient (which otherwise gets wasted) to a useful form of electricity.
"This is the first time the ferroelectric properties of this material have been explored in thin film form," said鈥疍r Lethy Krishnan Jagadamma, lead researcher and Reader in the School of Physics and Astronomy. "Our findings open the door to powering wireless Internet of Things sensors in indoor environments, where most of these devices are expected to be deployed."
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, especially in sectors like energy, healthcare, smart buildings and smart cities.
IoT is the smart network of internet-connected electrical and electronic devices, which can communicate with each other and respond rapidly in real time. IoT is the heart of all the smart technologies, and the 4th industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) — the complete automation and digitisation of the manufacturing process.
With more than鈥�18.8 billion connected devices鈥痠n use globally — and projections of鈥�75 billion by 2030 — battery limitations pose significant challenges in terms of scalability, environmental impact and maintenance.
The Energy Harvesting Research Group.
The new materials offer a promising solution. Unlike traditional rigid and low-efficiency materials, halide perovskites are flexible, lightweight, cost-effective and鈥痟ighly efficient鈥痑t converting ambient energy into usable power. The research also underscores the environmental impact of the building sector, which accounts for nearly鈥�30% of global energy use鈥痑nd鈥�28% of CO2 emissions.
Integrating IoT with energy-harvesting technologies could reduce building energy consumption by up to鈥�45%, contributing significantly to global sustainability goals.
"This work supports the vision of 'green energy everywhere, anytime'," added Raja Sekhar Muddam, PhD student at the at the University of St 糖心logo, who was heavily involved in the work. "It's a crucial step toward realising the full potential of Industry 4.0 through clean, self-sustaining power solutions."
Issued by the University of St 糖心logo Communications Office.