The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), which is located in the scientific-academic area of the Science Park of the University of Valencia (PCUV) and Severo Ochoa centre of excellence under the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), is part of an international team that has developed the first fully integrated high-efficiency photocondenser capable of directly powering AI and Internet of Things devices without the need for batteries. One of the membranes in this device is made up of biopolymers developed by the IATA-CSIC research team from mushroom residues, using methods that are easily scalable to industrial scale. Progress published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.
A photocondenser is a device that captures energy from sunlight and stores it directly, combining the functions of a solar cell and a battery in one system. The model developed in this research, a three-terminal device, combines the conversion of light into electricity with energy storage in one system. To do this, it integrates a high efficiency solar cell, a molecularly designed supercondenser and an ecological membrane made by IATA from mushroom waste that acts as a separator in the storage system.
Thanks to this combination, the photocondenser reaches up to 0.92 volts, enough to power LED lights, digital clocks or small sensors, and a charging efficiency of 18% under standard interior lighting, 3.5 times the performance of commercial silicon modules under these conditions. The system has proven capable of powering nodes of the so-called 'Internet of Things', small devices connected to each other and to the Internet to exchange data and perform specific tasks, all without the need for batteries.
The system has proven capable of powering nodes of the so-called 'Internet of Things', small devices connected to each other and to the internet to exchange data and perform specific tasks, all without the need for batteries
This system keeps running for 72 hours only with ambient light, and performs high energy-efficient AI tasks. "This result brings us closer to the development of truly sustainable and autonomous smart devices," says Marina Freitag, a researcher at the University of Newcastle (UK) who leads the work.
The BIOFUN team of the IATA-CSIC packaging research group has manufactured one of the device’s membranes by using biobased films made from commercial mushroom residues. "The biodegradable films we have produced have been fundamental for the excellent performance of this device," says María José Fabra, a researcher at IATA-CSIC who has participated in the study.
Photocapacitors usually use polymer (plastic) or ceramic membranes. The use of membranes made from mushroom waste opens up new possibilities for more sustainable device production. "These films have clear advantages over traditional membranes in three key respects: sustainability, adaptability and superior performance. In fact, the photocondenser shows a significant improvement in its performance by using these biodegradable membranes instead of conventional materials," explains Fabra.
"Although our research is mainly focused on food applications, collaboration with other disciplines and areas of knowledge allows us to advance towards innovative developments with multiple applications, such as these new photocapacitors", Amparo López, IATA Director and co-author of the article
The IATA-CSIC team regularly investigates the use of agro-industrial waste for new ingredients and materials. "Although our research is mainly focused on food applications, collaboration with other disciplines and areas of knowledge allows us to advance innovative developments with multiple applications, such as these new photocapacitors", concludes Amparo López, IATA director and co-author of the article.
The result of this work is the fruit of an international and multidisciplinary collaboration between various partners. In addition to IATA-CSIC, the University of Newcastle (UK), which coordinates innovation in the device; the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Naples (Italy), leading the integration of advanced supercapacitor technology and system theoretical development respectively; Munich Technical University (Germany), responsible for computing the device; and Lausanne Federal Polytechnic (Switzerland), responsible for the advanced characterisation of the device.
Source: CSIC Delegation Comunitat Valenciana