New solar cells allow CO2 monitor to operate continuously

A team from Swansea University have created a carbon dioxide monitor which can operate without interruption, thanks to printed solar cells that are extremely effective in low light conditions 

The monitor is now being taken to market by a company which has been spun out of the University, called Reef-IOT. The company was co-founded by Matt Carnie, Professor of Materials Science at Swansea University, and Electronic Engineering PhD student, Zaid Haymoor.

The new monitor has been christened the AIR-sense-IQ and is being marketed as an indispensable tool in helping organisations safeguard people’s health, while also reducing their energy footprint.

Clearly, monitoring equipment is only effective when it has power, yet as portability is an asset in many cases, the only alternative to mains-wiring has, to date, been the use of batteries.

In the case of the AIR-sense-IQ, power comes from flexible and highly efficient printed solar cells which can operate  in low-light environments. Swedish company Epishine, have developed the cells to power a variety of electronics, eradicating the need for cables, disposable batteries and maintenance.

The AIR-sense-IQ measures CO2 and provides live readings via an advanced sensor, alerting when CO2 levels rise exessively.

Professor Matt Carnie of Swansea University, who led the research, and is co-founder of Reef-IoT, said: ‘We are proud to launch AIR-sense-IQ, a product that not only improves workplace air quality but also operates entirely on indoor light. We’ve created a device that is both highly efficient and environmentally friendly, making it easier for companies to prioritise employee well-being while reducing their energy footprint.’

The research behind the solar cells is part of a programme called Application Targeted and Integrated Photovoltaics (ATIP) funded, to the tune of £6 million, by UKRI.

ATIP is led by Swansea University with partners at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford and supported by 12 key industrial partners. ATiP aims to advance next generation photovoltaic technologies through scalable, low-cost manufacturing.

Dr Silvia Villarroya Lidon, senior project manager from ATIP, said: ‘The development of this new device and its market integration represent a significant achievement for the ATIP research program. The primary mission of ATIP is to provide the foundational science and engineering necessary to promote the adoption of next-generation photovoltaics in integrated applications that address clear technological needs.’

The Air-sense-IQ is expected to be launched around the middle of this year.