Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Power Modules for Wireless IoT Sensors
The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) power modules from Fujikura facilitate energy harvesting for electronic devices such as Internet of Things wireless sensor nodes. The modules combines a DSC, a booster IC and a secondary cell such as a lithium ion capacitor.
The modules can be a replacement for an existing battery or coin-type battery and enables designers to save time and labor to develop a power supply management circuit. This is expected to speed up the commercialization of wireless IoT sensors and similar products.
According to Fujikura, DSCs are expected to be the next-generation of solar cells for energy harvesting applications due to their environmentally-friendly features compared with conventional silicon solar cells.
DSC power module.
Important features of DSCs include:
- High conversion efficiency at light intensity of 200 to 10,000 lux
- Operable at illuminance of 10 to100,000 lux
- Usable even in oblique light
Fujikura's DSCs are specified for operation from -30 to +50 degrees C. Electrical output varies linearly with light intensity (for example, maximum power and maximum operating current at 1,000 lux are 5-times larger than at 200 lux).
(click on table to enlarge)
