Shape-Shifting Perovskites Pave the Way for Smarter Solar and Lighting Tech
There’s a quiet transformation taking place in labs that could have a profound impact on the future of solar energy and smart lighting. This time, it’s not about reinventing the wheel, but rather reshaping the very materials at the heart of our devices.
At the University of Utah, researchers in the Bischak Lab have turned their attention to an intriguing class of layered crystals known as Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites. Their latest findings reveal a new trick up perovskites’ sleeve: the ability to change their optical properties with temperature.
And it’s not just a scientific curiosity. This shape-shifting behaviour could open the door to smarter, more efficient solar panels, longer-lasting thermal energy storage systems, and colour-tuneable LEDs.
What makes perovskites so special?
To start with, perovskites are a type of crystalline material made up of alternating organic and inorganic layers. This sandwich-like structure gives them a rare flexibility: the organic layers can “melt” or shift with temperature changes, which in turn changes the structure of the inorganic layers responsible for light emission.
In layman’s terms, think of it as a material that can reshape itself based on its surroundings – and in doing so, adjust the colour and intensity of the light it emits.
“There are these almost greasy chains that kind of crystallise together. When you hit a certain temperature, those will essentially melt and become more disordered” said Assistant Professor Connor Bischak, the study’s senior author. “The melting process influences the structure of the inorganic component, which controls how much light is emitted from the material and its wavelength.”
The science behind the shift
Led by graduate student Perry Martin, the team employed a suite of techniques including temperature-dependent absorption, emission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These tools helped them observe how perovskites undergo phase transitions – in essence, moving between different solid states – and how that affects their light-emitting behaviour.
One of the biggest takeaways from the study was the discovery that structural distortions in the inorganic part of the crystal led to precise changes in the wavelength of emitted light. That’s a game-changer for designing devices like LEDs or photodetectors that require highly controlled colour outputs.
“Perovskites can be manipulated easily at the molecular level” said Bischak. “The emission wavelength can be tuned from ultraviolet up to near-infrared.”
That kind of flexibility is rarely seen in other semiconductor materials.
Redefining energy storage potential
Perovskites aren’t just photogenic under a microscope. Their shape-shifting qualities also point to big improvements in thermal energy storage.
Because the materials can be tuned to specific thermal properties simply by changing the temperature, they’re perfectly suited to applications where efficient heat management is crucial – such as in batteries or building-integrated energy storage.
Even more impressive: perovskites can withstand repeated heating and cooling cycles without significant degradation. That sort of durability puts them well ahead of traditional materials used in thermal storage systems.
Perovskites versus silicon
When it comes to solar panels, silicon has reigned supreme for decades. But it’s starting to show its age. Silicon is expensive to manufacture, energy-hungry to process, and increasingly hampered by global supply chain bottlenecks.
Perovskites, on the other hand, are made using a low-cost, ink-like solution that can be printed onto substrates in a process not unlike newspaper printing.
“What that means is you basically dissolve all these precursor chemicals in a solvent, and then you can make your solar cell almost like printing with ink” Bischak explained. “It produces an efficient solar cell material that’s better than silicon.”
Moreover, perovskites aren’t gunning to replace silicon entirely. In fact, one of their biggest strengths lies in collaboration. Perovskite layers can be stacked on top of traditional silicon cells, forming hybrid cells that dramatically boost overall efficiency.
A perfect match for LED technology
LEDs are everywhere, from household lighting to large-scale display tech. But fine-tuning their colours has always been tricky. With perovskites, that colour tuning comes naturally.
By adjusting the temperature or tweaking the molecular structure, manufacturers could dial in the exact shade or brightness needed – without switching materials or rebuilding the device from scratch. That alone could streamline LED production and open up new possibilities in smart lighting and adaptive optics.
The tech could even find use in dynamic displays or lighting systems that shift in real time based on external conditions, from temperature changes to user interaction.
A clean future driven by chemistry
The Bischak Lab’s study, published in the journal Matter, is more than just an academic achievement. It’s a nudge in the direction of a cleaner, more adaptable future. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the research showcases how in-depth materials chemistry can support renewable energy goals.
Perry Martin, the paper’s lead author, was joined by co-authors Rand Kingsford, Seth Jackson, Garrett Collins, Jonene Keller, and Emily Dalley – all University of Utah chemistry students and current or former members of the Bischak Lab.
Their collective work continues to explore how dynamic chemical structures can drive innovation in energy and healthcare applications.
On the radar of global innovators
The implications of this research haven’t gone unnoticed. International clean-tech companies and materials science firms are increasingly investing in perovskite development. From Oxford PV in the UK to Energy Materials Corporation in the US, the race to commercialise perovskite-enhanced solar and lighting solutions is heating up.
Beyond research labs, some start-ups are already piloting perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels and flexible LED screens using similar phase-tuneable compounds. It’s a space worth watching.
Bright prospects for tomorrow’s tech
In a world crying out for smarter, cleaner, more efficient energy solutions, the humble perovskite might just become the unsung hero. With its shapeshifting abilities, broad tunability, and compatibility with existing tech, it’s got all the hallmarks of a material set to redefine our relationship with energy.
From flexible solar panels to colour-changing LEDs and robust energy storage systems, the future looks bright – quite literally.
