Ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics for powering wearable electronics

In recent years, wearable electronics have garnered significant attention due to their vast application potential in diverse fields, such as biosensors, health monitoring, medical treatment, and human-computer interfaces. The energy supply system plays a crucial role in ensuring the long-term operation of wearable electronics. Among the various options available, ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with a thickness of less than 10 μm have emerged as promising off-grid power sources for wearable electronics, integrating into irregular and stretchable surfaces such as human skin and textiles. Moreover, organic solar cells have demonstrated high compatibility with the human body. This study presents our progress in developing ultra-flexible solar cells and their application in powering wearable electronics and sensors. We have successfully achieved 3-μm-thick organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency exceeding 15% and improved environmental stability. The ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics can be securely attached to human skin or textiles using the hot-melt adhesion process. Next, we will try to integrate the ultra-flexible solar cells with sensors to create a self-powered system for monitoring biological signals.