Newcastle University Unveils Breakthrough Light-Harvesting System for Autonomous AI
In a landmark international collaboration, Newcastle University has unveiled the world’s most efficient integrated light-harvesting and storage system for powering autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the edge of the Internet of Things (IoT).
The groundbreaking technology, detailed in the journal Energy & Environmental Science (Royal Society of Chemistry), marks a transformative step toward sustainable and intelligent infrastructure.
At the heart of this breakthrough is an innovative three-terminal photocapacitor, combining a hybrid photovoltaic, a molecularly engineered supercapacitor, and eco-friendly mushroom-derived chitosan membranes into a seamless, highly efficient system.
The device achieves a record photocharging voltage of 0.9 V and 18% charging efficiency under typical indoor lighting, enabling continuous, battery-free operation of IoT networks and edge AI systems.
High-Performance AI at the Edge with Minimal Power Consumption
The technology has already demonstrated impressive results in real-world tests, where it powered image recognition tasks with 93% accuracy at just 0.8 mJ per inference. This performance outperforms commercial silicon modules by a factor of 3.5 in throughput, showcasing the system’s potential for energy-efficient and high-performance AIoperations.
Professor Marina Freitag, Chair of Energy and Royal Society University Research Fellow at Newcastle University, said, “Collaboration is the only way to tackle the multi-faceted problems of tomorrow’s technology. Our joint success is not just a scientific breakthrough—it’s a template for how global, cross-disciplinary teams can deliver the innovations society needs.”
Addressing the Growing Demand for Sustainable IoT Solutions
As global IoT deployment surges, with over 30 billion devices expected by 2030, the challenge of powering wireless, smart systems without relying on traditional toxic batteries or grid connections is becoming critical.
This new technology offers a viable solution for powering indoor IoT devices without the need for disposable batteries, addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 for affordable and clean energy.
By providing zero-maintenance, energy-autonomous infrastructure, the technology paves the way for sustainable smart solutions in homes, hospitals, factories, and cities, helping reduce the environmental impact of billions of disposable batteries.
This innovation could revolutionize smart cities, healthcare, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring by enabling low-maintenance, eco-friendly networks of sensors and edge devices, shaping the future of sustainable societies.
Also read: ArcusAI Launches AI Platform to Facilitate Grid Interconnection for Clean Energy Projects
International and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
A global team, including experts from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Newcastle University, the University of Naples Federico II, EPFL Lausanne, and others, achieved significant advancements in supercapacitor technology and energy storage.
Dr. Francesca De Rossi and Professor Francesca Brunetti led efforts at Tor Vergata, while Dr. Natalie Flores-Diaz at Newcastle focused on device engineering. Dr. Zaida Perez-Bassart and her team in Spain added a sustainability component with chitosan membranes.
The Technical University of Munich helped translate these innovations into practical applications, particularly for edge AI and IoT systems.
