Indoor photovoltaic materials and devices for self-powered internet of things applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables data connection, information exchange, and communication for everyday items and environments through information sensing devices, so as to realize intelligent identification, positioning, tracking, monitoring, etc. Currently, the number of terminal devices in the IoT device ecosystem involves exponential increase, posing challenges for the power supply of these devices. As an attractive energy harvesting solution, indoor photovoltaic (IPV) is capable of generating electricity by utilizing the light energy in various environments. This review first provides an overview of the IPV technology; the research progress, and performance levels of various IPV materials and devices, including amorphous silicon solar cells, halide perovskite solar cells, organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and environmentally friendly emerging thin-film solar cells, etc. are then reviewed; the typical application scenarios of IPV for self-powered IoTs are further discussed; a summary and an outlook on the IPV technology are also given.