Chinese researchers achieve laser-powered mid‑air drone recharging

A team of researchers from the Civil Aviation University of China, led by Jianhua Han and collaborating with Tsinghua University, has demonstrated a laser‑based mid‑air charging system for drones. The prototype uses a tandem perovskite laser‑cell and thermoelectric (PLC‑TE) device mounted under the wing, converting a ground‑based laser beam into electricity with a recorded laboratory efficiency of 38.49%, surpassing previous records.

The dual‑layer receiver captures the laser light in a perovskite photovoltaic layer and harvests waste heat in a thermoelectric layer, while airflow through the wing cools the device, addressing overheating challenges. Researchers incorporated heat‑blocking nanocrystals to further protect the system. The technology aims to enable continuous drone operations for tasks such as surveillance, logistics, and disaster response without the need for frequent landings for battery replacement.

The work, published in Matter & Light, is presented as a proof‑of‑concept and further engineering development is required before practical deployment.