Energy sustainability and interconnection are the two main pillars on which the smart cities of the future will be based, with smart and connected energy devices, fully integrated into buildings, capable of meeting strict regulations and having minimal energy impact. In this context, in work published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials, the team composed of researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca and CNR-INO, in collaboration with Glass to Power SpA and LENS, has created and studied the first example of a photovoltaic window also equipped with the ability to exchange data through light using VLC (Visible Light Communication) technology. The use of white LED sources to communicate data, as well as to illuminate, is also named Light-Fidelity (Li-Fi). The device is capable of functioning as a VLC receiver even in direct sunlight, thus combining energy functions and wireless connectivity into a realistic solution for smart and sustainable buildings. The ability to generate electricity by harvesting sunlight or artificial light while also transmitting data also opens up the possibility of making self-powered smart devices that can exchange data pervasively and sustainably without substantial energy or human health impacts. This pioneering achievement represents an important step toward the sustainable and green use of optical technologies in smart cities and the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the revolution promised by sixth-generation (6G) communication systems.
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