PhD Forum Abstract: Advancing Solar Cells: Beyond Energy Harvesting to Positioning and Communication

Extensively studied for energy harvesting, solar cells present a sustainable and renewable solution for producing Internet of Things (IoT) devices that operate autonomously without the need for battery replacement. Our goal is to augment solar cells with positioning and communication capabilities, aiming to further diminish the size, weight, power consumption, and cost of IoT products. This approach leverages the photocurrent signals generated by solar cells, which are influenced by various factors, including the angle of light incidence, light intensity, and environmental reflections—attributes that can vary with location. Furthermore, by modulating the light source, we can alter the solar photocurrent, enabling the reception of data. This research explores the capability of solar cells to discern light spectral information, offering a nuanced response to illumination. This enhanced sensitivity has the potential to significantly improve localization precision and communication effectiveness.CCS CONCEPTS•Human-centered computing Ubiquitous and mobile computing.