Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France (IPVF) and Orange’s research on the Internet of Things (IoT) are pleased to announce the signing of a co-innovation agreement. This collaboration targets the field of « ambient computing » and more specifically related to « extreme edge computing », which aims to disseminate computing ressources at the extreme edge of telecommunication networks.

In this context, ORANGE’s research is working on the development of a battery-free and wireless nanocomputers with sensors, computing, storage and communication capabilities. These new objects are powered by the energy collected in their surrounding environment (« energy harvesting »), in particular, solar energy.
IPVF brings its expertise in next generation photovoltaic (PV) materials and will work on the integration of perovskite solar cells into these objects.

Solar cells based on perovskites are the rising stars of PV with strong promises. In particular, their association with silicon cells is being studied to build so-called « tandem » solar cells that can achieve  efficiencies beyond the current limits  in mass production (~25 %).
One of the interesting characteristic of these cells is their ability to operate in low light environments and under artificial lightning.

Making connected objects fully autonomous in energy is a major challenge for the development of this market. However, thanks to this proposed solution, of using a renewable energy source such as solar to power them up, will help to increase their performance and functionnalities, while reducing environmental footprint.

Contacts: David Excoffier, Michel KOCHANSKI, Jean Rousset,Thomas Guillemot