Artificial Phototropic Systems for Enhanced Light Harvesting Based on a Liquid Crystal Elastomer

Oblique-incidence-induced energy-density loss (OEL) is a universal problem which affects nearly all processes involving electromagnetic waves, especially sunlight harvesting. Technologies (solar concentrating plants, large scale systems, etc.) are developed to address this issue, albeit with limitations such as complex design, large size, and high cost. Inspired by nature, artificial phototropism is developed to accurately follow the light direction without complex motors system and electronical control. However, the existing systems are limited by small tracking operation windows, low robustness, or the requirement of high-power input. Herein, a system is reported that is versatile, low cost, mechanically strong, and can achieve large-angle reorientation driven by unconcentrated sunlight. This system is demonstrated to be able to recover the OEL for photovoltaics as well as solar vapor generation (SVG) processes. Compared with the nonphototropic system, it can achieve 447% output in lab and 155% in real-life applications. The principle behind our artificial phototropic system is universal and can be extended to many optical applications, especially sunlight harvesting.

Automated summary

An artificial phototropic system has been developed to address the universal problem of oblique-incidence-induced energy-density loss (OEL) in processes involving electromagnetic waves, especially sunlight harvesting. The system is versatile, low cost, mechanically strong, and can achieve large-angle reorientation driven by unconcentrated sunlight. Compared to nonphototropic systems, it can achieve significantly higher output in both lab and real-life applications.