Engineers Developed Dual-Use Solar Device

Researchers created a wearable device that converts sunlight into electricity and emits near-infrared light.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Energy

Isometric editorial illustration of a rectangular thin-film semiconductor panel, with a soft glow representing dual-use energy generation and light emission. — Engineers at Florida International University and Pennsylvania State University have developed a wearable device that harvests solar energy and emits infrared light. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does new solar-powered gear improve the effectiveness of military field operations?

Engineers from Florida International University and Pennsylvania State University have developed a wearable dual-use device that harvests sunlight and emits light. The technology uses perovskite semiconductor material to function as both a solar harvester and a light source.

Why it matters

This technology aims to reduce the heavy battery load currently carried by soldiers in the field. By integrating power generation and lighting into a single device, it decreases the reliance on external generators and additional power storage.

The device, which features a peak light emission of 818 nanometers, was tested at scales of 1.1 and 2.1 square centimeters. The solar component achieves a 22 percent conversion efficiency, while the light-emitting function operates at 11 percent efficiency.

The players

Florida International University

This public research university serves as the lead institution for the solar device development project.

Pennsylvania State University

This institution served as a research collaborator for the project focused on energy-efficient wearable technology.

The details

The device uses perovskite semiconductor material to capture sunlight for electricity and then runs in reverse to emit near-infrared light. The team is currently working to scale the technology for broader integration and to increase the visual brightness of the panels.

October 14, 2026: The research was published in the journal Nano Energy.

The Big Picture

This development marks a significant shift in the application of perovskite semiconductor material within the broader scientific discipline. By enabling a single component to function in two distinct modes, researchers are challenging legacy hypotheses that demand separate hardware for energy harvesting and illumination.

While the current application targets military usage to reduce the 20-pound battery burden on soldiers, successful scaling could lead to lighter, multi-functional gear for civilians. This technology could eventually simplify outdoor equipment by combining power sources and signal lights into a single thin panel.

The takeaway

This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for multitasking materials to improve field utility in harsh environments. Future designs may focus on increasing panel size and brightness to broaden the reach of this energy-saving technology.