Researchers from the University of St Andrews in Scotland have found ways to power smart-building applications using an emerging family of semiconductors.

They have unravelled energy harvesting potential using light and movement, discovering the makeup and methods used to generate electricity.

Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the research explores the potential of low-dimensional halide perovskites, demonstrating their ability to convert ambient energy into electricity through multiple mechanisms, including photovoltaic, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric effects.

These properties are useful in energy storage, memory devices and heat energy harvesting.

Energy harvesting refers to converting the freely available energy in the ambient, which otherwise gets wasted, to a useful form of electricity.

“This is the first time the ferroelectric properties of this material have been explored in thin-film form,” said Lethy Krishnan Jagadamma, lead researcher and reader in the School of Physics & Astronomy. “Our findings open the door to powering wireless IoT sensors in indoor environments, where most of these devices are expected to be deployed.”

The IoT is transforming sectors such as energy, healthcare, smart buildings and smart cities. It is the smart network of internet-connected electrical and electronic devices that can communicate with each other and respond rapidly in real time. This is at the heart of all the smart technologies and Industry 4.0, the complete automation and digitisation of the manufacturing process.

With more than 18.8 billion connected devices in use globally – and projections of 75 billion by 2030 – battery limitations pose significant problems in terms of scalability, environmental impact and maintenance.

The new materials offer a promising alternative. Unlike traditional rigid and low-efficiency materials, halide perovskites are flexible, lightweight, cost-effective and efficient at converting ambient energy into usable power. The research also underscores the environmental impact of the building sector, which accounts for nearly 30% of global energy use and 28% of CO₂ emissions.

Integrating IoT with energy-harvesting technologies could reduce building energy consumption by up to 45%, contributing significantly to global sustainability goals.

“This work supports the vision of green energy everywhere, anytime,” said Raja Sekhar Muddam, PhD student at the Energy Harvesting Research Group (lethykj.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk) at the University of St Andrews (www.st-andrews.ac.uk), who was heavily involved in the work. “It’s a crucial step towards realising the full potential of Industry 4.0 through clean, self-sustaining power.”

To see the report, go to advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.202425192.