Ambient Photonics

About Ambient Photonics

Ambient Photonics, founded in 2019, is a technology company focused on eliminating the need for disposable batteries in electronic devices. The company originated as a spin-off from the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, where its core technology was first developed. It was co-founded by CEO Bates Marshall, a veteran with over two decades of experience in the semiconductor and solar markets, and CTO Dr. Kethinni Chittibabu, a material scientist with a 30-year career in opto-electronic materials and photovoltaic innovation.

The firm has engineered high-power density, low-light solar cells that can harvest energy from indoor ambient light sources like LED and fluorescent lighting. This technology is designed to power a wide array of consumer electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as remote controls, keyboards, mice, electronic shelf labels, and sensors. Unlike traditional solar panels optimized for direct sunlight, Ambient's cells are specifically designed for low-light indoor environments, claiming to generate over three times the power of conventional indoor photovoltaic technologies. The company's business model is centered on selling these photovoltaic (PV) cells directly to global electronics manufacturers, who then embed the cells into their products. This approach aims to create more sustainable products by significantly reducing battery waste and the associated carbon footprint.

Ambient's core product is a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) that uses proprietary, metal-free organic dye molecules to absorb light across the entire visible spectrum. These molecules are printed onto thin, durable glass substrates using a highly automated industrial process, which allows for the creation of cells in virtually any size or shape to fit different device designs. This manufacturing flexibility is a key feature, enabling collaboration with device designers to integrate the power source seamlessly. A significant milestone was the opening of its 43,000-square-foot, highly automated manufacturing facility in Scotts Valley, California, which is one of the largest factories of its kind and is capable of producing tens of millions of units annually. The company has secured substantial funding, including a $30 million Series A2 round in September 2023, to expand its manufacturing capabilities and drive market adoption.