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Perovskite-based SOLED converts sunlight to electricity at 22 percent efficiency and emits light at nearly 11 percent efficiency.
Engineers at Florida International University (FIU) have developed a thin, wearable solar device that can generate electricity from sunlight and also produce light. Called SOLED, the device combines the functions of a solar panel and a light-emitting diode (LED) in a single, flexible structure. 
The technology could be integrated into soldiers’ uniforms or equipment to power electronic devices in the field, potentially reducing reliance on batteries, generators, and resupply missions. The research aims to support lightweight wearable power systems and could also lead to new applications in displays, sensors, and other optoelectronic devices.
SOLED combines a solar cell and a light-emitting diode (LED) in a single, lightweight structure that could eventually be integrated into uniforms, wearable equipment, and other portable power systems.
The device is made using perovskite, a semiconductor material that can absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. The researchers report that SOLED achieves a power-conversion efficiency of up to 22 percent when operating as a solar cell, a performance level competitive with commercial solar technology. When operated in reverse, the same device emits light with nearly 11 percent efficiency, an improvement over earlier versions of the technology.
SOLED combines energy harvesting and light emission within a single thin structure. In its solar-cell mode, the device captures sunlight and converts it into electricity that could help power electronic equipment. In its light-emitting mode, it uses electrical energy to produce light.
According to the team, this dual functionality could make the technology useful in applications where space, weight, and energy availability are important considerations. Soldiers can carry up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of batteries to operate communications equipment and other electronic systems during missions. Integrating solar devices into uniforms or equipment could provide an additional power source, potentially reducing dependence on conventional batteries, generators, and supply deliveries.
The panels could also offer an alternative to generators in remote environments, where noise, heat, and bulky equipment can create operational challenges. However, the technology remains under development, and its practical performance in field conditions will depend on further improvements and testing.
Although SOLED can produce light, its current output is not particularly bright to the naked eye. Its peak emission occurs at a wavelength of 818 nanometers, just beyond the visible spectrum in the near-infrared region. The emitted light can appear as a faint pink glow, but wavelengths in this range can be detected by specialized equipment.
Potential applications include night-vision sensors, biometric scanners, and medical imaging systems. Combining light emission and energy generation in one component could support compact optoelectronic devices that perform multiple functions without requiring separate components for each task.
The research team is working to increase the panels’ visible brightness while expanding their size. Scaling up the technology is challenging because the device consists of multiple thin layers that must maintain performance as the overall panel grows.
The researchers showed that SOLED can maintain strong performance even in the smallest samples commonly used in early-stage solar-cell research. A device measuring 1.1 square centimeters retained a power-conversion efficiency above 20 percent. The team also tested a larger 2.1-square-centimeter version and reported continued strong performance.
These results indicate that the technology can be developed beyond very small laboratory samples. However, larger panels will require further engineering and evaluation before they can be incorporated into practical products.
The next stage of development will focus on scaling SOLED toward panel sizes suitable for real-world applications. If the researchers can preserve its efficiency and light-emitting capabilities at larger dimensions, the technology could provide a compact platform for wearable energy generation, specialized sensors, and other devices that combine solar power with light emission.
Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.
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