A research team at Kyungpook National University has developed a self-recharging energy storage device by combining advanced supercapacitors with solar cells. A step forward for sustainable energy and energy independence.
Solar energy meets supercapacitors and transparent photovoltaics
Solar energy has made great strides in recent decades, but the main challenge remains its efficient storage. Since the 1970s, with the advent of the first silicon solar cells, researchers have been looking for solutions to store solar energy quickly and sustainably. An important contribution has come from the University of Michigan, which in recent years has been working on transparent solar cells, with the aim of integrating solar energy directly into urban infrastructures.
Today, from South Korea comes a new innovation that could mark a further step forward: a system combining advanced supercapacitors and transparent photovoltaics, developed by researchers at Kyungpook National University. This technology offers a self-recharging storage system that can store solar energy and make it available in real time.
How does this new technology work?
Supercapacitors are energy storage devices known for their fast charge and discharge rates and longer lifespan than conventional batteries. However, until now, their storage capacity was lower than that of lithium-ion batteries. To overcome this limitation, Korean researchers developed innovative electrodes made from a nickel composite, enriched with transition metal ions such as manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn).
This combination significantly increased the energy density and stability of the system, improving charge and discharge efficiency. In addition, the integration with transparent photovoltaics and silicon solar cells makes it possible to directly capture sunlight and convert it into energy without the need for complex support systems.
Promising results and future applications
Laboratory tests showed that the system achieved a storage efficiency of 63% and an overall efficiency of 5.17%, making it a potential candidate for large-scale applications.
Possible applications of this technology include:
- Portable electronic devices: smartphones, smartwatches and other devices could benefit from longer-lasting batteries that can be recharged with sunlight.
- Smart buildings and infrastructure: integration into solar energy systems could improve the energy self-sufficiency of homes and offices.
- Electric vehicles and sustainable transport: the combination of supercapacitors and transparent photovoltaics could revolutionise the e-mobility sector, improving the efficiency of electric cars and reducing charging times.
Towards a more sustainable future
According to Jeongmin Kim, senior researcher at DGIST, ‘this study represents a turning point in the field of energy storage. By using innovative materials, we have overcome the current limitations of supercapacitors and paved the way for more sustainable energy solutions.’
Damin Lee, researcher at Kyungpook National University, added that the team will continue working to further improve the efficiency of the device and move it towards large-scale commercialisation.
Conclusion: a new era of energy storage?
The innovation developed in South Korea, combined with the University of Michigan’s pioneering advances in transparent photovoltaics, could radically change the way we handle renewable energy. If further developments confirm the economic feasibility and performance of this technology, we could be facing a new era of energy storage, in which solar energy becomes not only more accessible, but also more efficient and immediately usable. A discovery that could revolutionise our relationship with energy and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.
Want to stay up-to-date on the latest technological innovations? Follow us on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn
