Light Harvesting Solutions Optimized to Power the IoT

ElectricFilm, LLC today announced the launch of a line of proprietary light harvesting technology solutions that optimizes the conversion of any light – from low indoor levels to full daylight – into reliable, sustainable power with better cost and system performance than alternative methods. The company's solutions are capable of capturing extremely low levels of light and are not negatively impacted by shading, like other photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Optimized to power a variety of wireless applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), ElectricFilm™ technology can be tailored to satisfy a wide range of power needs, environments, and product design requirements. It is ideally suited for smart building sensors – from thermostats to motion and smoke detectors to electronic locks – as well as motorized window shades and powered retail displays.

“ElectricFilm has optimized the conversion of indoor light to electricity with lower cost and better system performance than others, eliminating the need for costly hardwiring or battery replacement,” says Dr. Stuart M. Spitzer, President, ElectricFilm, LLC. “Our solutions harvest any light, from natural light through windows to artificial indoor light, to power a number of wireless applications that are all part of the Internet of Things.”

ElectricFilm light harvesting technology represents the culmination of 25 years of PV cell development and advancements. Claiming a breakthrough as a cost-effective, maintenance-free solution to power smart devices, ElectricFilm is a proprietary PV technology which harvests light from any direct, reflected, diffused or shaded source (including sunlight, fluorescent, incandescent and LED light) and converts it into a smart, convenient power alternative to hardwiring or disposable batteries. ElectricFilm captures low to medium light levels (25 to 50,000 lux) with high efficiency, making it ideally suited for indoor environments. The current is tuned with smart electronic controls to provide output for a wide variety of devices that need wireless power. The result is the ability to install devices anywhere with no wiring costs or maintenance calls, while reducing battery disposal.

ElectricFilm Power from Lightâ„¢ Single-Cell Modules power sensors in variety of wireless commercial, industrial and residential applications. With an estimated 75 billion sensors projected to be in use around the world, in millions of applications by 2020, the need for a reliable, cost-effective energy source for these devices, without hardwiring or batteries, is growing fast. ElectricFilm Modules are well-suited for smart building sensors, from thermostats to motion and smoke detectors to electronic locks, as well as automotive and industrial sensors.

These Single-Cell Modules are available in standard and custom sizes, featuring ready-to-use, high-efficiency photovoltaic cells. Specifically engineered for indoor light harvesting, the Modules work in any light and produce 7.0-70.0 uW/cm2 at 200-2000 lux respectively. They are thin, lightweight, flexible and bendable to within a 50 mm radius. Laminated and sealed, each Module produces about 0.5V and can be used alone, connected in series or parallel, or to supplement a super-capacitor or rechargeable battery system.