Ambient Photonics’ Solar Cells Can Provide Unlimited Energy for Low-Power Devices

Ambient Photonics’ new solar cell harvests light indoors and outdoors and converts it into power for everyday devices. )Image Credit: Ambient Photonics)

At CES 2024, California-based startup Ambient Photonics showcased its low-light photovoltaic cell and bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) that harness indoor and ambient outdoor light to generate energy for everyday devices. The company claims it delivers three times more power versus today’s indoor silicon solar cells. The product can be commercialized and used in gadgets that don’t require much energy, including sensors, computer mice, wireless keyboards, IoT devices, and remote controls.

Ambient Photonics’ Bifacial DSSC uses its front and back sides to collect light energy, boosting cell efficiency. While the front produces 100% energy, the back delivers 50%. If incorporated into a remote control, the cell can power itself despite the direction it faces --- either upwards or downwards on a table.

“Our bifacial solar cell technology is a game-changer for all kinds of devices,” explained Marshall. “We can imagine a host of connected devices, including electronic shelf labels, building sensors, and more, that not only power themselves more effectively in ambient light but can also be designed and mounted in a variety of flexible ways and perform regardless of shape or orientation,” Ambient Photonics says.

Also, these cells are designed to work in low-light environments, making them more favorable than expensive solar cells that need bright conditions to produce energy. Ambient Photonics claims its cells use new molecules and manufacturing processes to harvest indoor and outdoor light, producing infinite energy. According to the company, one DSSC can create the same amount of energy as larger solar cells due to its light harvesting efficiency.

So far, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund has invested in the company. E.Ink added this solar panel tech to their electronic shelf labels, improving the shopping experience for retailers. Chicony is another player in the game --- integrating the Low-Light Indoor Bifacial Solar Cell into its next-gen wireless keyboards. And finally, Universal Electronics’ ETERNA remote control features these solar cells.

Ambient Photonics began shipping its indoor low-light cells in the Fall of 2023 from its Fab 1 manufacturing plant in California.

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