• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise

Power Electronic Tips

Power Electronic News, Editorial, Video and Resources

  • Products
    • Power Supplies
    • AC-DC
    • DC-DC
    • Battery Management
    • Capacitors
    • Magnetics
    • MOSFETS
    • Power Management
    • RF Power
    • Resistors
    • Transformers
    • Transistors
  • Applications
    • 5G
    • AI
    • Automotive
    • EV Engineering
    • LED Lighting
    • Industrial
    • IoT
    • Wireless
  • Learn
    • eBooks / Tech Tips
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQ
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • White Papers
    • Design Fast
  • Video
    • EE Videos & Interviews
    • Teardown Videos
  • EE Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online.com
  • Engineeering Training Days
  • Newsetter Subscription

Flexible organic solar cells are optimized for indoor light spectrum

February 2, 2021 By Lee Teschler

A small, thin and flexible light cell, printed on recyclable plastic, has been optimized for the light spectrum found indoors. Designed by Epishine in Sweden, the light cells are designed to be used instead of batteries on wireless sensors and similar devices.

epishine cellThe cells have a power density of 18 μW/cm2 and have a 1 cm bending radius on their longer side. Each cell includes low-resistance crimp contacts with soldering tabs. Company officials say the cells are compatible with reflow soldering processes.

epishine cell qualitiesThe cells are optimized for light levels characterizing indoors, from 50 lux for low-light situations up to about 1,000 lux for commercial settings such as supermarkets. These light levels produce a cell open-circuit voltage ranging from 3.4 to 4 V, a maximum output power of over 800 μW, and maximum short-circuit current of 300 μA. Standard cells are 0.2-mm thick and come in six standard sizes ranging from 20 to 50 mm square and contain six or eight cells. The modules are also semi-transparent.

The company also produces an evaluation kit designed to show how the Light Energy Harvesting (LEH) modules can power indoor wireless low-power devices normally powered by batteries. It combines Epishine LEH modules with a supercapacitor as an energy buffer and intelligent charging management to support various output voltages and energy storage solutions. It can also use an external primary battery as a backup. Company officials say the evaluation kit can deliver sufficient output current to power most low-power radios such as BLE, Zigbee, LoRa and similar protocols.

The Epishine cells are already used in a few applications as a means to eliminate the need for batteries. Uses so far include the powering of smart cards that, as a security feature, shut off when in a wallet or purse but switch on when exposed to room light; in hotel electronic locks as a means of eliminating batteries and their maintenance; and in smoke/fire detectors that needn’t be periodically taken out of service for a battery change.

Epishine, Westmansgatan 47, 582 16 Linköping, Sweden, https://www.epishine.com/

You may also like:

  • electrolytic caps
    Why electrolytic capacitors blow up
  • UVC in cars
    Latest connected car feature: Germicidal lights
  • safety first
    How to electrocute yourself in a few easy steps
  • LED bulb teardown
    Teardown: Simple approach characterizes modern LED bulbs

Filed Under: Development Tools, Evaluation boards, IoT Tagged With: epishine

Primary Sidebar

Featured Contributions

Robust design for Variable Frequency Drives and starters

Meeting demand for hidden wearables via Schottky rectifiers

The case for vehicle 48 V power systems

GaN reliability milestones break through the silicon ceiling

Developing power architecture to support autonomous transportation

More Featured Contributions

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE ENGINEERING TRAINING DAYS

engineering
“power
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.
“bills

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • Snubbers in Flyback Converters
  • connector model question
  • Step Up Push Pull Transformer design / construction
  • floating node warning in LTSpice
  • SMPS feedback circuit

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • Pic18f25q10 osccon1 settings swordfish basic
  • More fun with ws2812 this time XC8 and CLC
  • Pickit 5
  • turbo jet fan - feedback appreciated.
  • I Wanna build a robot

DesignFast

Component Selection Made Simple.

Try it Today
design fast globle

Footer

EE World Online Network

  • 5G Technology World
  • EE World Online
  • Engineers Garage
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDA Board Forums
  • Electro Tech Online Forums
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

Power Electronic Tips

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy