New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) - Researchers from India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) have introduced a groundbreaking solar energy storage device that integrates both the capture and storage of solar energy within a single unit. This innovation represents a significant advancement toward clean and self-sustaining energy systems, as stated in an official announcement.

Unlike traditional solar energy systems, which necessitate separate components for energy collection and storage, this new technology combines both processes, leading to lower costs and minimized energy loss during conversion, according to the statement.

The Ministry of Science and Technology mentioned that this device, termed a photo-rechargeable supercapacitor, was created by scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences in Bengaluru under DST.

This advancement opens doors to efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly power solutions suitable for portable, wearable, and off-grid applications, the statement elaborated.

Conventional hybrid systems typically require additional power management electronics to balance voltage and current discrepancies between the energy collector and storage unit.

This complexity often hinders the design of miniaturized and autonomous devices, as highlighted in the statement.

The innovation relies on the binder-free utilization of nickel-cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) nanowires, which are uniformly fabricated on nickel foam through a straightforward in situ hydrothermal method.

“These nanowires, with diameters only a few nanometers and lengths reaching several micrometers, create a highly porous and conductive 3D matrix that effectively captures sunlight and stores electric charge. This distinctive structure allows the material to function simultaneously as a solar energy collector and a supercapacitor electrode,” the statement specified.

Upon testing for practical applications, the device produced a steady output voltage of 1.2 volts and retained 88% of its capacitance even after undergoing 1,000 photo-charging cycles.

Moreover, it performed efficiently across a range of sunlight conditions—from dim indoor light to bright sunlight. This stability suggests that the nanowire configuration can withstand both mechanical and electrochemical stress over prolonged usage, as noted in the statement.

This self-charging power system can operate in remote areas lacking electrical infrastructure, significantly decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and traditional batteries.

aar/pk