Dracula Technologies transforms ambient light into energy with published solar cells
- Internet of Things devices are proliferating, making day-to-day jobs more convenient for lots of people-- yet that comes with cost. The United Nations expects the amount of e-waste produced globally to reach 52.2 million statistics lots this year, as well as a sizable part of that are dead batteries.
Dracula Technologies, a French start-up that is currently displaying virtually at Computex, wants to aid with its inkjet-printed natural photovoltaic or pv (OPV, or natural solar cells) technology. Called LAYER (or Light As Your Energetic Response), Dracula Technologies' OPV modules run indoors on natural or artificial ambient light, and can be made use of to power low-consumption interior tools. Since they are published and not made from silicon, the OPV modules' shape is much more customizable as well as, unlike many batteries, it does not make use of rare earths or heavy metals. Rather, the modules are developed from carbon-based product.
In addition to being far better for the environment, LAYER is also extra economical-- the firm declares it can decrease the overall cost of ownership by 4 times compared to batteries.
Dracula Technologies is currently working with manufacturers, including a partnership with Japanese semiconductor business Renesas Electronics and also AND Technology Research (ANDtr) to develop a self-powering, battery-less IoT gadget that can send messages through BLE to a mobile app.
Dracula Technologies was founded in 2011, after a project in collaboration with the CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, or the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), a public research company. Chief executive officer Brice Cruchon saw the technology's business potential as well as after 6 years of research and development, LAYER was released via the Hello there Tomorrow program for deep tech start-ups
So far, Dracula Technologies has elevated a total of 4.4 million euros (concerning $5.4 million USD), including a 2 million euros round in 2016 from angel capitalists for a pilot line, as well as 2.4 million euros raised last year from MGI Digital and also ISRA Cards, which Dracula Technologies is utilizing to enhance the production of its photovoltaic modules throughout its pre-industrialization phase. The firm prepares to transfer to its industrial phase in 2024, with the goal of producing numerous modules each year.
MGI Digital, an electronic printing and also completing tech company, and also ISRA Cards, that makes high-value digital cards (like licenses or present and loyalty cards), are Dracula Technologies' industrial companions. It is additionally part of the Solar Impulse Foundation's # 1000 Solutions, an overview to environment-friendly energy options that can be applied on a large scale.