Rapid Fire
Sunlight-Powered Self-Charging Energy Device
- 06 Feb 2026
- 2 min read
Recently, Indian scientists have developed a sunlight-powered energy storage device that can both capture and store solar energy in a single unit, enabling self-charging power systems.
- About: The innovation, called a photo-capacitor, was developed at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, under the Department of Science and Technology.
- Unlike conventional solar setups, the device integrates energy harvesting and storage, reducing system size, complexity, cost, and energy losses.
- Technology Used: The technology uses binder-free nickel–cobalt oxide (NiCo₂O₄) nanowires grown on nickel foam via a simple hydrothermal process.
- These nanowires form a porous, conductive 3D network that efficiently absorbs sunlight while simultaneously storing electrical charge.
- Performance: The electrode shows enhanced capacitance under sunlight, strong durability over thousands of charge–discharge cycles, and stable performance across varying light conditions.
- Applications: The technology enables compact, self-charging power systems suitable for portable electronics, wearable devices, and off-grid energy solutions.
| Read more: Clean Energy: India’s Path to Sustainability |
