Contributing to advancements in sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, the MENTOR project has been launched with a focus on next-generation indoor photovoltaics (IPVs). MENTOR is a EU initiative, funded through the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. 

By harnessing energy from artificial indoor light, these innovative IPVs will provide a renewable power source for electronics, contributing to a more climate-neutral world. The initiative brings together a diverse network of universities, research centers, and industrial partners to tackle key challenges in sustainability, materials development, and device integration. 

As part of this effort, a new PhD researcher has joined Worldsensing tasked with developing and validating IoT prototypes powered by MENTOR’s IPVs, including their application in real-world scenarios such as building vibration monitoring.

New PhD researcher enhances MENTOR project goals

João Victor Da Silva has recently joined Worldsensing as part of the innovative MENTOR project. With a strong foundation in Electronic Engineering, he holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brasil, and a Master’s from the French engineering school ENSEEIHT-INP, specializing in Integrated Circuits and Embedded Systems. João also earned a Master of Science in Information Systems from the University of São Paulo, blending technical expertise with a broader understanding of information technologies.

His PhD research work will focus on developing and validating IoT prototypes powered by indoor photovoltaics. Specifically, João Victor will explore applications such as monitoring building vibrations through IoT nodes that operate solely on energy harvested from artificial indoor lighting. This research aligns with the project’s overarching mission to promote energy efficiency and sustainability, contributing to the reduction of battery usage in real-world scenarios. 

Joao’s main workplace will be Worldsensing HQ and the Universidad Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona, with secondments in Swansea University (UK) and Endeas, a company providing photovoltaic testing solutions, in Finland. 

Expanding the boundaries of indoor photovoltaics

The MENTOR project sets out an ambitious scope that addresses the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions and increased energy efficiency in electronics. At its core, MENTOR aims to revolutionize the use of indoor photovoltaics by transforming artificial indoor light into a renewable power source for electronic devices. 

This comprehensive initiative is not limited to technical advancements; it also prioritizes global collaboration to drive impactful innovation. Bringing together 8 universities, 7 industrial partners, and 5 research centers from around the world, the project creates an interdisciplinary network that fosters knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving.

The scope of MENTOR encompasses several critical areas, ranging from the sustainable design and synthesis of advanced materials to the manufacturing, characterization, and integration of IPVs into real-world applications. The project emphasizes the importance of combining theoretical approaches with practical application, employing machine learning and advanced modeling to optimize the performance of IPV systems. Equally, the program invests in long-term sustainability by addressing key aspects such as photovoltaics recycling and industrial scalability. By focusing on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly processes, the project aligns its goals with the global push toward climate neutrality.

This initiative extends its impact through the training and development of 16 doctoral candidates, equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to drive future advancements in renewable energy and sustainable electronics. 

Driving sustainable energy and reducing battery dependency

The MENTOR project and the contributions of its researchers are poised to generate significant societal benefits by addressing critical global challenges in energy sustainability. One of the most pressing issues today is the dependency on disposable batteries, which not only generate waste but also contribute to the depletion of non-renewable resources. By developing indoor photovoltaics capable of efficiently converting artificial light into a renewable energy source, MENTOR provides a practical solution to reduce this reliance.

The work of the PhD researcher at Worldsensing directly supports this vision by focusing on the development of IoT prototypes capable of operating solely on energy harvested from indoor lighting. This approach demonstrates the practical application of IPVs in real-world settings, such as monitoring building vibrations without the need for conventional battery systems. These advancements highlight the potential for a shift toward energy-neutral IoT infrastructure, which could drastically reduce the environmental footprint of electronics and their associated energy demands.

_{This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for research and innovation under grant agreement No. 101169056}

MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS

Doctoral Networks (DN)

Call: HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01-01