| May 18, 2026 |
Researchers have developed a nanoscale device that converts low-energy infrared and red light into higher-energy visible light, eventually improving solar panels, sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing systems.
(Nanowerk News) Published in Nature Photonics (“Structural exciton localization drives efficient solid-state sensitized triplet fusion upconversion”), the research addresses a longstanding problem in photonics: how to stop energy from being lost before it can be used.
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That mechanism allowed the device to achieve photon conversion efficiencies of 8.2%, among the strongest reported for this type of architecture.
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“This work demonstrates a big step forward,” says study lead author UNSW researcher Dr Thilini Ishwara.
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“Achieving high efficiencies in films is difficult in these ultrathin molecular systems – good light absorption is needed and energy loss needs to be minimised.”
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The work could have implications for industries looking to recover or reuse wasted infrared light.
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In solar energy systems, for example, large amounts of low-energy light pass straight through conventional silicon cells unused and converting some of that light into visible wavelengths could improve overall performance.
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The researchers say the approach may also be relevant to infrared sensing, photocatalysis, optical communications and next-generation additive manufacturing technologies such as volumetric 3D printing.
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Importantly, the system operates in a solid-state structure compatible with semiconductor-style manufacturing, making it more commercially practical than earlier liquid-based approaches.
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‘We are keen to commercialise our technology,” says Dr Ishwara.
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“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.’
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The researchers also say that photochemical upconversion can boost the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production.
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