Science and Technology
Researchers at the Institute of Materials Science in Seville have developed a hybrid perovskite device capable of operating in both sun and rain, generating up to 110 V per drop and expanding the use of rain and rain energy in applications such as IoT and outdoor sensors.
The device was created by researchers at the Institute of Materials Science in Seville, Spain. The innovation allows perovskite solar cells to operate simultaneously under sunlight and rainwater, overcoming limitations associated with cloudy conditions.
According to a press release, the innovation is expected to boost the deployment of the Internet of Things and external sensors used to monitor structures and environmental conditions. The integration of rainwater harvesting increases the autonomy of these systems in outdoor environments.
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Advances in solar cell technology have enabled the construction of large power plants capable of generating carbon-free electricity. Even so, only a fraction of the energy received from the sun is harnessed, which motivates research into new materials.
Perovskites offer higher conversion efficiencies than conventional solar cells and low production costs. Despite this, they face reliability problems, especially when exposed to prolonged environmental variations.
To overcome these limitations, ICMS researchers developed a hybrid device with a thin film constructed using plasma technology. This film is less than 100 nanometers thick.
For comparison, a human hair is, on average, 80.000 nanometers thick. This difference highlights the extremely thin nature of the coating applied to the perovskite solar cell.
The film performs a dual function. It acts as an encapsulant, protecting the chemical composition of the perovskite cell, and increases light absorption. At the same time, it functions as a triboelectric surface, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.
This conversion allows us to harness the energy of rain. Upon impacting the surface, the droplets activate the triboelectric mechanism, producing a measurable potential difference, even in conditions without direct sunlight.
In experiments conducted at the ICMS facilities, researchers observed that a single raindrop could generate a potential difference of 110 V. This value was considered sufficient to power a small portable device.
Researcher Carmen Lopez stated in a press release that the day It combines perovskite solar cell photovoltaic technology with triboelectric nanogenerators in a thin-film configuration.
According to her, the proposal demonstrates the feasibility of implementing both energy harvesting systems in a single device. The combination integrates solar energy and rainwater into the same functional structure.
The research results were published in the journal Nano Energy, as reported in the released material. The study addresses the transparency, wettability, microstructure, and chemical composition of CFx film encapsulants for PSC.
Conventional solar cells exhibit reduced performance on cloudy days. In regions with prolonged periods of rain, this limitation can hinder the widespread adoption of traditional photovoltaic technology.
By developing a system that works in both sun and rain, researchers have expanded the possibilities for energy autonomy. Rainwater helps keep devices running even under adverse weather conditions.
Researchers suggest the device could power LED circuits, even when submerged in water. It could also help perovskite solar panels cope with temperature and humidity fluctuations.
The use of rainwater energy combined with the protection offered by thin-film coatings can benefit external sensors installed on megastructures, such as bridges, and environmental sensors intended for weather forecasting and precision agriculture.
The Internet of Things sector should also benefit from the research. The ability to collect energy from rain and sunlight in a single hybrid panel could power distributed devices in outdoor environments for extended periods.
In the article, the researchers highlighted the potential of coatings deposited using plasma techniques as a multifunctional solution. These coatings protect sensitive devices and develop systems capable of collecting energy from different environmental sources.
By integrating rainwater into perovskite cells, the hybrid device seeks to overcome reliability and performance limitations associated with climate variations, consolidating a combined approach for electricity generation in outdoor environments.
The survey results were published in the journal nano-energy .
Journalist specializing in a wide variety of topics, including automobiles, technology, politics, the shipbuilding industry, geopolitics, renewable energy, and economics. I’ve been working since 2015, with prominent publications on major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from the Faculty of Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analysis and reporting. With over 10 articles published in renowned publications, I always strive to provide readers with detailed information and relevant insights.
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