New perovskite panels hit record 42% efficiency under indoor light

Chinese scientists have developed novel perovskite indoor photovoltaics (PIPVs) that achieve a record indoor power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 42.01%, marking a significant advancement for powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices under indoor lighting. These PIPVs demonstrate a projected lifespan of approximately 6,000 hours under indoor light conditions, addressing a critical barrier to commercialization—long-term stability. The researchers employed a hybrid-interlocked self-assembled monolayer (SAM) strategy to enhance device stability by improving the binding energy and surface coverage of SAM materials on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates, which is crucial for the overall durability of inverted PIPV devices. The optimized PIPV modules have been successfully integrated with self-powered devices, including electronic price tags and yellow LEDs, demonstrating practical applicability in real-world indoor environments. The devices can continuously power electronics under desk-lamp illumination, although they require integration with energy storage solutions like lithium-ion batteries to maintain operation during