Interesting news in the tech world keeps coming from CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Now comes Ambient Photonics, a company backed by the giant Amazon and its Climate Commitment Fund, which has offered a technology. Indoor solar cells. This technology has a unique ability to convert light into energy even in low light conditions. What intrigued me the most was how these cells were called DSSC (dye-sensitized solar cells), can produce up to three times more energy than existing alternatives.
What really sets this technology apart is its ability to reduce dependency Disposable or rechargeable batteries. Imagine replacing the thick, heavy batteries in your devices with sleek solar cells.
One of the most innovative aspects of this technology is its bifacial solar cell, which can generate power from both the front and back. This means that devices equipped with this technology, such as remote controls, are autonomous regardless of their position. Ambient Photonics claims its solar cells can capture up to three times more energy than conventional solutions, resulting in greater efficiency and power for electronic devices.
Many leading electronics manufacturing companies have already started integrating ambient photonics solar cells into their products. For example, Universal Electronics has incorporated these solar cells into its new ETERNA remote control platform. Chicony, for its part, has collaborated with Ambient Photonics to power its new fixed wireless keyboard. Additionally, E Ink is working with ambient photonics to integrate solar cells into next-generation electronic shelf labels that will improve the in-store shopping experience.
Ambient Photonics Shipping has started Its solar cells last fall from its plant in Scotts Valley, California. This plant is called Fab 1, capable of “printing” solar cells into any shape or size required. As I look to the future, I see great potential in this technology, especially in its application Smart home devices.
In addition to those provided by ambient photonics, several indoor solar cell technologies are on the market. A notable technology is based on selenium, which has proven to be an attractive alternative due to its high efficiency in energy conversion under indoor lighting and its stability. This selenium cell technology outperforms silicon-based cells, which are the current standard in indoor photovoltaics, in both energy conversion efficiency and sustainability. The ability of these selenium cells to function without degradation even after 1,000 hours of continuous illumination makes them a promising option for powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other applications in indoor environments.
