TV REMOTE controls in millions of homes could one day be powered by light-gathering cells made in Cardiff thanks to a technological breakthrough.
Wentloog-based G24 Innovations (G24i) has increased the conversion efficiency of its dye sensitised cells from 15% to 26%, potentially opening up significant new markets for the technology.
The cells already being produced by the company have been recognised by Texas Instruments’ Solar Lab as the most efficient indoor light energy harvesting technology on the market.
They are already being used instead of batteries to power a number of products, from shade and blind systems for one of the largest hotels in Las Vegas to computer peripherals products such as wireless keyboards.
The near 70% boost in efficiency has been achieved by changing the composition of the dyes and electrolytes within the cells, and is based on recent work by Professor Michael Graetzel at a laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland.
It means the cells can produce a higher voltage using indoor ambient light, allowing them to be used in more power-hungry devices than was previously the case.
As a result the technology could be used to power a wider range of computer peripherals and to replace batteries in devices such as remote controls for TVs and DVD players.
Because the cells can harvest light during the day and release it at night, they could also be used to reduce the amount of grid-sourced electricity devices use while on standby.
Electricity consumed by appliances on standby is estimated to account for up to 8% of UK residential electricity use.
Prof Graetzel, who received the 2012 Albert Einstein World Award of Science and the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize for his work on dye sensitised cells, said: “This efficiency achievement is impressive. It puts the 30% threshold within reach.
“Ultimately, close to 40% power conversion efficiency appears feasible with this kind of light source.”
Richard Costello, chief operating officer of G24i, said: “Whilst our latest PV cell breaks new ground for energy harvesting technology, it will not require the construction of a dedicated fabrication plant, as you’d typically see with advances in semiconductor and silicon solar cell technology.
“We can simply replace current cells with the newly improved composition at our existing Cardiff manufacturing facility.”
He added: “This represents a considerable step forward for our business. New applications of our technology become possible at this efficiency rate.
“And current applications will require smaller modules to achieve the same power density, allowing product designers in the consumer electronics space to throw away the rule book.
“The global market for disposable batteries is worth in the region of $80bn a year. The potential to increase the volume of sales for our technology is immense.”
G24i is among the most significant inward investors into Wales in recent years. It was initially funded by US investors, with $45m being raised in a private equity round in 2008.
Last year the company installed a 120m wind turbine at its Wentloog factory, leading founder Robert Hertzberg to claim that it was the “first [factory] in the world to make renewable energy from renewable energy.”