Japanese scientists have developed a super-thin organic solar cell that can be heat-printed onto clothes like a T-shirt design. The cells can power portable devices and wearable tech, doing away with the need for batteries. If affixed to tents, these could provide electricity outdoors or during disasters and can be folded up and put away when not used.

The ultra-flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV), developed by a join team from Riken Research institute and Toray Industries Inc., achieves sufficient thermal stability of up to 120 °C and a high power conversion efficiency of 10 per cent with a total thickness of 3 microns, according to Japanese media reports.

It can be integrated into textiles through the commercially-available hot-melt process without degrading performance, and therefore, has immense potential as a ubiquitous and wearable power source in day-to-day life.

At the Earth’s surface, the energy density is reduced to approximately 1,000 W/m2 for a surface perpendicular to the Sun’s rays at sea level on a clear day. However, there is less solar power from a vertical surface. Plus the current material is only 10% efficient. clothing that was completely covered with 10% efficient wearable solar might be able to generate 20-30 watts in brightest sunlight.

Power sources flexible enough to be attached onto curved and rough surfaces are one of the most promising solutions to supplying electrical power directly to Internet of Things sensors, wearable sensors and electronic devices. (DS)