University of Queensland researchers develop lead-free indoor photovoltaics

Researchers at the University of Queensland are developing lead-free, low-toxicity indoor photovoltaic technology designed to power wearable health devices without the need for batteries or charging.

While perovskite indoor photovoltaics are a promising power source, the presence of toxic lead has previously limited their use in skin-contact applications. Chemical engineer Dr. Miaoqiang Lyu and his team are addressing this by utilizing a scalable vapour-deposition method that removes toxic lead and hazardous solvents while maintaining high performance.

The goal is to enable continuous, energy-autonomous operation for devices such as glucose sensors, ECG patches, and sweat-based lactate or electrolyte patches. Dr. Lyu has received a UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award to advance this work using thermal evaporation, an industry-compatible process with significant potential for scaling up self-powered electronics.