UNSW Sydney researchers have developed a nanoscale device that converts low-energy infrared and red light into higher-energy visible light.
The breakthrough, published in Nature Photonics, achieves photon conversion efficiencies of 8.2%—among the highest reported for this type of architecture. Unlike earlier liquid-based approaches, this device operates in a solid-state structure compatible with semiconductor-style manufacturing, making it far more commercially practical.
"This work demonstrates a big step forward. Achieving high efficiencies in films is difficult in these ultrathin molecular systems - good light absorption is needed and energy loss needs to be minimised." — Lead author Dr. Thilini Ishwara
Why It Matters
The technology is designed to recover or reuse wasted infrared light, opening doors for a wide range of industries. Potential applications include:
- Improving solar panel performance by converting low-energy light that passes through silicon cells
- Infrared sensing
- Photocatalysis
- Optical communications
- Next-generation additive manufacturing, such as volumetric 3D printing
- Tumour treatment with deeper tissue penetration
- Cheap water purification
- Night vision
"We are keen to commercialise our technology. It could be used for a range of techniques such as tumour treatment with deeper tissue penetration, cheap water purification, night vision, and 3D printing." — Dr. Thilini Ishwara
Contact: Tom Melville, UNSW Science | [email protected] | 0432 912 060