Project R-16174

Bio-hybrid Photodetectors and Solar Cells – drawing inspiration from nature towards novel device concepts with enhanced ecological and aesthetical properties (Research)

Within this research project, interdisciplinary and exploratory research is conducted into new concepts and material combinations for biobased/bio-hybrid photodetectors and solar cells, drawing inspiration from nature. In particular, this project aims to improve the eco-friendly and aesthetical properties of photodetectors/solar cells based on a novel (to the best of our knowledge unpublished/not patented) concept. The first aim can be situated in the long-term goal of a reduction of the world-wide growing challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) and solar panel waste. The second aim is related to the trend of widening the creative application possibilities of solar cells in domains such as buiding-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), design, arts, advertisement,.. Also for this aspect, the extensive variety of forms and colors in nature, can be inspirational. For the envisaged bio-hybrid devices, it is therefore not the goal to obtain record energy conversion efficiencies to compete with traditional classes of solar cells, but to create devices with enhanced ecological and aesthetical properties, suitable for the exponentially growing amount of low-power electronic applications, e.g. self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) applications and portable electronics (cfr. indoor photovoltaics). To investigate the underlying light to electricity conversion mechanisms and properties, a variety of nanoscale and macroscopic analytical and electro-optical techniques will be used (e.g SPM, LBIC,..).

01 October 2025 - 30 September 2029