Ultra-Thin Device Could Power and Light Soldier Gear
Florida International University researchers have built a single component that works as both a solar cell and an LED.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Energy
Researchers at Florida International University developed SOLED, an ultra-thin device combining solar cell and LED functions. The perovskite-based device reaches up to 22% solar power-conversion efficiency.
Why it matters
Modern soldiers carry growing numbers of electronic devices, and some carry up to 9 kilograms of batteries. A component that both harvests and emits light could reduce that dependence on heavy power sources.
The figures come from laboratory tests of the device, which reached 22% solar power-conversion efficiency and nearly 11% light-emission efficiency. Efficiency held above 20% in a 1.1-square-centimeter device, but the source does not report how it performs at larger sizes.
The players
Florida International University
A public research university in Miami, Florida, whose researchers developed the SOLED device.
The details
The device is built from multiple extremely thin layers of perovskite semiconductor material. It works as a solar cell when light enters it and emits light when operated in the opposite direction, emitting light that peaks at 818 nanometers.
Big Picture
The SOLED work extends Florida International University's perovskite research by merging solar harvesting and light emission into a single ultra-thin layer stack. Its goal is a unified energy component that could replace separate batteries and display elements in wearable gear.
Wearable power sources that cut the weight of battery packs could reduce the load carried by soldiers and other field users. Researchers say the next step is building panels large enough for practical use without losing efficiency.
The takeaway
Combining power generation and light emission in one thin component could reduce how much equipment people carry. Whether the efficiency holds at practical sizes is the question researchers are working to answer.
Further reading
Explore more Energy coverage for context on how new materials are being developed for power generation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IHLS.
