Vertically Integrated Projects
Bigger isn’t always better, so we’re pushing the boundaries of solar energy to power small devices, like medical implants and IoT sensors, with a sustainable source of energy.
VIP ChallENG research goals
This project aims to design and create millimetre-sized solar energy harvesting devices that can provide continuous power for medical implants and IoT sensors.
Our research includes:
- Design and prototype small silicon photovoltaic devices capable of charging a small lithium ion battery and be integrated on an integrated circuit for ultra-miniaturisation
- Design and prototype mini solid state lithium ion batteries with a high energy density that can either be directly fabricated onto a silicon wafer or easily integrated on.
- Demonstrate and prototype mini-solar harvesting power systems integrated with low-power electrical circuits (e.g. for implants or IoT sensors)ÌýÂ
- Design solar energy harvesting devices for particular operating environments (e.g. under the skin, in the field)Ìý
- Develop computational models of hybrid devicesÂ
- Assess the durability of solar energy harvesting devices in diverse environmentsÂ
- Identify new device designs, sensor distribution methods and applications
ChallENG Area
Research Areas
- Silicon photovoltaicsÂ
- °Õ³ó¾±²Ô-´Ú¾±±ô³¾Ìý³¾¾±²Ô¾±²¹³Ù³Ü°ù±ðÌý²ú²¹³Ù³Ù±ð°ù¾±±ð²õÌý
- Low-power circuits and wireless transmittersÂ
- Biomedical implant designÂ
- Low power IoT systemsÂ
- Electrical circuit design
- Device encapsulation
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Ensure access to affordable and sustainable energy ()Ìý
- Build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation ()
2021 VIP Consortium Innovation Competition - 1st Place WINNER
Mini Solar - Fire Detection Team
The Mini Solar VIP Team is developing devices that provide fast, accurate information to the surrounding community and to authorities when bushfires break out. The devices include a dedicated miniature solar panel that converts sunlight into energy, an integrated miniature battery, and communications technology which creates a 24/7 monitoring and communications network. The team was established in 2020 in response to the devastating bushfire season in Australia.
- Join this team for
- Desired skills
Credit
✔ 6 UoC per courseÂ
Professional Development
•   Teamwork
•   Leadership
•   Design
•   Communication
•   Integrity
•   Innovation and excellence
•   Diversity
•   Respect
•   Resilience
- Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
- Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Â
- Chemical EngineeringÂ
- ±Ê³ó²â²õ¾±³¦²õÌý
- Chemistry
- ²Ñ±ð»å¾±³¦¾±²Ô±ðÌýÌý
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
Explore the Mini Solar sub-teams
Below are the various aspects of Mini Solar you can choose to explore.
-
This team will design and fabricate small silicon solar cells that can be used in Mini Solar devices. In 2022, we will investigate two new approaches that can enable Mini Solar devices of different mm to cm dimensions.
Team Leads: Prof. A. Lennon,ÌýDr I. Perez Wurfl
-
This team will design and construct PCB prototypes incorporating the PV device,Ìýminibattery and low power wireless (LPW). In 2022, we will build off the core LPW technology that we developed in 2021.
Team Lead: Dr I. Perez Wurfl
-
This team will investigate new approaches for the fabrication of thin film solid state mini-batteries to be incorporated into Mini Solar device.
Team Lead:Â A/Prof. N. Sharma
-
This team will investigate the optical,Ìýencapsulation and implantation requirements for subdermal solar cells and conduct preliminary experiment to establish the viability of subdermal biochemical sensing (e.g. of glucose for 24/7 blood sugar monitoring for diabetes).
Team Lead:Â Dr. D. Tsai
Team Academic Leads
Dr. Ivan Perez-Wurfl
Senior Lecturer - Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
