'25 Graduate Recognized for Innovative Research on Solar Technology for Wireless Devices

Matthew Timofeev '25 was recently honored for his innovative research on harnessing light to power electronic devices. He received an Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Computational Science award from the Neukom Institute, recognizing his collaboration with Van Guarnieri '21 and Th'22, PhD candidate Julia Huddy, and Assistant Professor William Scheideler. Their study, titled "Engineering perovskite solar cells for efficient wireless power transfer," was published in a scientific journal and highlights new approaches to using solar technology for wireless energy transmission.

Timofeev explains, "Vann was instrumental in initiating this project, and then Professor Scheideler asked me to help bring it to completion." He notes that publishing a research paper involves significant effort—"almost as hard as Congress passing a budget." Their work was also distinguished by the journal, earning the "Scilight" feature.

The team focused on improving perovskite solar cells, which are more affordable and lightweight compared to traditional silicon panels. Their aim was to enhance the stability of these cells for large-scale applications and to evaluate their ability to generate power from focused light sources. Thanks to their flexible and lightweight nature, perovskite cells are particularly promising for powering wireless devices—a concept closely linked to the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), which connects smart sensors, trackers, and other gadgets.

The research demonstrates that these advanced solar cells could transmit power over distances of 5 to 50 meters with efficiency exceeding 33%. This breakthrough could enable the development of wirelessly powered devices that eliminate the need for batteries, making sensors, wearables, and other electronics more sustainable and user-friendly. Ultimately, this work could contribute to powering our digital world with clean, wireless energy.

"While at Dartmouth, Matthew grew into a leader as a champion of the Dartmouth Energy Alliance and was a tireless force, always ready with an idea to help the Institute better serve student needs. We wish him the best as he begins his PhD in electrical engineering at University of California, San Diego this fall!" – Amanda Graham, PhD, Director of Academic Programs