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Low-cost and efficient perovskite indoor photovoltaics for wireless Internet-of-Things devices

This project is closed for international students.

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Chemical sciences, Engineering, Physical sciences

Project description

The Internet-of-Things (IoT) market has experienced exponential growth over the past decades, with around 11.3 billion connected devices by the end of 2020 and a projection of 27 billion by 2025.

As most IoT devices operate over wireless networks, off-the-grid portable power sources are essential integration components. Indoor photovoltaics that can directly harvest ambient and artificial light for generating electricity have been employed as promising portable power sources for IoT and electronic devices.

The industry of indoor photovoltaics had an estimation of US$850 million in 2023 with ~60 million units sold per year and the market size has around 70% compound annual growth, representing the fastest growth among all non-traditional photovoltaic markets.

In the past decade, perovskite indoor photovoltaic (IPV), a new type of photovoltaic technology, has been rapidly emerging as a promising IPV candidate due to its earth-abundant elements, low-temperature and solution-based manufacturing, and high achievable efficiencies under indoor conditions.

However, a widespread uptake of this technology still faces some issues, such as lead toxicity in existing perovskite materials, further improvement of efficiencies and reduction of manufacturing cost.

To address these issues, this project will develop low-cost and efficient perovskite IPV technology as a cheaper and more sustainable solution for portable power sources for autonomous IoT prototype products. 

Research environment

You will join a world-class research environment at the Nanomaterials Centre, School of Chemical Engineering at UQ (ranked#1 by subject in Australia).

You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for material design and device fabrication, as well as world-class research infrastructure for material characterisations through UQ`s AIBN, CMM, ANFF-Q and CAI.

You will work in a collaborative research group with strong expertise in functional material design and applications.

This project will also offer opportunities in industry collaboration and experience in device prototyping with local Australian companies.

Scholarship

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
  • your tuition fees covered.

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Supervisor

Preferred educational background

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

  • previous academic record
  • publication record
  • honours and awards
  • employment history.

A working knowledge of functional nanomaterials and semiconductors would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of material science, chemical engineering, and/or physical chemistry and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of halide perovskites, solar cells, optoelectronic devices, and/or solution printing technologies is highly desirable.

How to apply

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2027. You can start in an earlier research quarter.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:

  • RQ 1 (January): 30 September
  • RQ 2 (April): 31 December
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 March
  • RQ 4 (October): 30 June.
  • RQ 1 (January): 30 June
  • RQ 2 (April): 30 September
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 December
  • RQ 4 (October): 31 March.

Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  2. Prepare your documentation.
  3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Miaoqiang Lyu (m.lyu@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:

  1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
  2. Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
  3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: PHOTOVOLTAICS-LYU
  4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/low-cost-and-efficient-perovskite-indoor-photovoltaics-wireless-internet-things-devices

Submit an EOI

This project is not available to international students

Do you have questions?

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Contact us