The accelerated growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is creating an environmental challenge of huge proportions: the reliance on disposable batteries. Sensors for temperature, humidity, movement, and air quality, as well as smart meters and monitoring systems, are increasingly present in buildings, cities, and industries, yet their power supply continues, in most cases, to rely on batteries with a limited lifespan, according to Azure Photon, a spin-off company born out of FEUP (Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto), based in Santo Tirso.
Azure Photon estimates that, by 2030, there will be more than 40 billion IoT devices in operation worldwide. Although this equipment can operate for around a decade, the batteries that power it need to be replaced, on average, every two years. As a consequence, it is predicted that as early as 2025, around 78 million batteries will be discarded every day, generating high maintenance costs and a significant environmental impact, it adds.
Azure Photon is developing perovskite solar cells that harvest indoor light to power IoT devices throughout their entire lifespans, eliminating the need for disposable batteries.
