But this relay of energy from one component to the other, that is, from the photovoltaic cell to the battery, leads to energy losses. To address this issue, the team at TIFR led by Amar Kumar started to explore the use of photosensitive components inside batteries themselves.
At the same time, the group decided that it was necessary to tackle some of the most common pitfalls of solar batteries, namely, their reduced ability to harness enough solar energy as time passes; their use of organic electrolytes, which may corrode the photosensitive organic component inside a battery, and the formation of side products that hinder the sustained performance of a battery in the long term.
Kumar and his colleagues began exploring new photosensitive materials which can also incorporate lithium and build a solar battery that would be leak-proof and operate efficiently in ambient…
Indian researchers develop lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with solar energy
