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A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales has developed a nanoscale device capable of converting low-energy infrared and red light into higher-energy visible light, in a development that could have wide-ranging implications for solar energy, sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The research, published in Nature Photonics, tackles a persistent problem in photonics: how to prevent energy from being lost before it can be harnessed.
How the device works
The UNSW device operates at the nanoscale and is designed to capture photons of infrared and red light – wavelengths that carry less energy and are typically wasted in conventional systems – and upconvert them into visible light that can be put to practical use.
It is a challenge that has occupied photonics researchers for years. Low-energy light makes up a significant portion of the solar spectrum, but most silicon-based solar cells are unable to absorb it efficiently. That energy simply passes through the cell and is lost.
The UNSW team’s device achieved photon conversion efficiencies of 8.2 per cent, which ranks among the highest reported results for this type of architecture.
“This work demonstrates a big step forward,” according to Study Lead Author and UNSW Researcher Dr Thilini Ishwara.
“Achieving high efficiencies in films is difficult in these ultrathin molecular systems – good light absorption is needed and energy loss needs to be minimised.”
A solid-state approach
One of the key aspects of the research is that the system operates in a solid-state structure, rather than relying on liquid-based approaches that have been explored in earlier studies.
That distinction matters because solid-state devices are compatible with semiconductor-style manufacturing processes, which makes them far more practical from a commercial standpoint.
Liquid-based upconversion systems have shown promise in laboratory settings, but translating them into real-world products has proven difficult. A solid-state design opens the door to integration with existing industrial fabrication techniques, potentially lowering costs and accelerating the path from research to deployment.
Implications for solar energy
The potential applications for the technology span several industries, but solar energy stands out as one of the most immediate.
In conventional silicon solar panels, large amounts of low-energy light pass straight through the cells without being absorbed or converted. If even a fraction of that wasted infrared light could be upconverted into visible wavelengths, it could improve the overall energy output of a panel.
Australia’s solar sector has been growing rapidly, and any technology that can squeeze additional performance out of existing panel designs is likely to attract attention from manufacturers and energy companies alike.
The UNSW team’s device does not replace existing solar cell technology but could potentially complement it, acting as an additional layer that recovers energy that would otherwise go unused.
Beyond solar panels
The researchers believe the technology could also find applications in infrared sensing, photocatalysis, optical communications and next-generation additive manufacturing technologies such as volumetric 3D printing.
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Dr Ishwara pointed to a range of potential commercial uses for the technology.
“We are keen to commercialise our technology,” she explained. “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.”
The mention of medical applications is notable. Infrared light can penetrate biological tissue more deeply than visible light, which makes it useful in certain therapeutic contexts. A device that can convert that infrared energy into a more usable form could enable new approaches to treating tumours and other conditions.
Water purification is another area where upconversion technology could play a role. Photocatalytic water treatment systems rely on light to drive chemical reactions that break down contaminants, and expanding the range of usable wavelengths could make those systems more efficient.
A longstanding challenge
The problem of photon upconversion – converting low-energy photons into higher-energy ones – has been studied for decades. The physics involved are well understood, but achieving it efficiently in practical, manufacturable devices has remained elusive.
The difficulty lies in the ultrathin molecular systems required to perform the conversion. These films need to absorb light effectively while minimising energy losses at each stage of the process. Even small inefficiencies can compound, leaving little usable energy at the output.
The 8.2 per cent efficiency achieved by the UNSW device represents meaningful progress in addressing those losses, though researchers will likely continue working to push that figure higher in future iterations.
Commercialisation prospects
Dr Ishwara’s comments about commercialisation suggest the team is looking beyond the laboratory. Moving from a published research result to a commercial product involves significant additional work, including scaling up manufacturing, proving reliability over time and securing industry partnerships.
However, the fact that the device already uses a solid-state architecture compatible with existing semiconductor fabrication methods removes one of the larger obstacles that typically stands between photonics research and commercial reality.
The research adds to UNSW’s track record in photovoltaic and photonics research. The university has been home to several advances in solar cell technology over the years, and this latest work extends that into the emerging field of photon upconversion.
For industries that rely on light-based technologies – from energy generation to medical treatment to advanced manufacturing – the ability to recover and reuse wasted infrared light represents a practical opportunity that could reshape how these systems are designed and deployed.
Last Updated on May 18, 2026 by Nick Ross
