Imagine a building that powers itself using just light and movement from its surroundings.
Thanks to new research from the University of St Andrews, this idea might soon become reality.
Scientists there have discovered that a special class of materials called halide perovskites can turn everyday sources of energy—like light, motion, heat, and pressure—into electricity.
Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the study highlights the incredible potential of these materials for powering the smart devices of the future, especially those used in the growing Internet of Things (IoT).
IoT refers to networks of devices like sensors, appliances, and systems that connect to the internet and communicate with one another in real time.
These devices are already everywhere—in homes, offices, factories, and cities—and are expected to grow from nearly 19 billion today to around 75 billion by 2030.
But there’s a challenge: powering all these devices with batteries is not sustainable. Batteries run out, need replacing, and cause environmental problems when disposed of. That’s where energy harvesting comes in. It’s the process of capturing unused ambient energy—such as sunlight, heat, or vibrations—and turning it into electricity.
The researchers focused on halide perovskites because they’re lightweight, low-cost, flexible, and efficient.
For the first time, they showed that these materials can work in thin film form and produce energy in several ways, including through photovoltaic (light-based), piezoelectric (motion-based), pyroelectric (heat-based), and ferroelectric effects. This makes them perfect for use in indoor environments, where IoT sensors often operate.
Dr. Lethy Krishnan Jagadamma, who led the research, explained that this discovery could lead to powering smart sensors in homes, offices, and public spaces without the need for batteries or constant maintenance. Raja Sekhar Muddam, a PhD student on the team, said the project supports the idea of “green energy everywhere, anytime.”
Buildings alone are responsible for nearly 30% of the world’s energy use and nearly the same share of global carbon emissions. By combining energy-harvesting materials with smart technologies, energy use in buildings could be cut by up to 45%, which would be a huge step toward tackling climate change.
This breakthrough points to a future where buildings are not just places we live and work in—they’re active players in creating cleaner, smarter cities.
