Projects
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| Reference Number | UKRI1491 | |
| Title | International collaboration towards dual-functional photovoltaics enabling power transfer and optical signal transmission | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources (Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Yongtao Qu Northumbria University |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 October 2025 | |
| End Date | 01 October 2026 | |
| Duration | 12 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £45,382 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Unknown | |
| Region | North East | |
| Programme | NC : Engineering | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Yongtao Qu , Northumbria University |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | The rapid growth in portable devices, including sensors and consumable electronics defines a new era for photovoltaics (PVs) because of the demand for innovative and sustainable power sources that can be easily integrated with high-value products. The integrated PV device can also act as an optical signal receiver, enabling the establishment of a simultaneous optical wireless communication (OWC) network among the interconnected IoT devices while harvesting energy from surrounding light sources. This Overseas Travel Grant aims to access the required specialist facilities and related expertise at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia and perform a series experiments to improve the power conversation efficiency and communication bandwidth of my solar cells. The objectives of my visit will be (i) study the surface passivation pathways using ultrathin alumina capping layer as well as Cd-free buffers to achieve low-cost, environmentally friendly, and high efficiency solar cells; (ii) optimise local chemical environment engineering to assess my designs for solar cells as low-speed OWC receivers; (iii) organise an innovation workshop during my visit to create a valuable platform at UNSW to promote project outputs in energy natural OWC and forge sustainable collaborations between academics, engineers and wider energy/telecommunication companies in Australia. Through the proposed novel approaches, we aim to achieve 15% kesterite solar cells with its communication bandwidth significantly increased from its current kHz to several hundred MHz. Importantly, this international collaboration will allow me to establish new partnerships with world-leading experts in thin film solar cells. By the exchange of knowledge and skills, it provides a special opportunity for professional growth that I will use to advance scientific research and innovation in Northumbria university. This will be achieved by generating essential feasibility data for a more extensive collaborative research programme that will include industrial partners from both UK and Australia. Moreover, the scientific findings will be disseminated widely through gold open access where possible, conferences and outreach events to maximum the benefit to researchers in the field and wider public | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 07/01/26 | |
