New technique enables production of completely plastic solar cells and paper thin TVs

World's first completely plastic solar cell

World's first completely plastic solar cell (image: Virginie Drujon-Kippelen)

Imagine owning a television with the thickness and weight of a sheet of paper. It will be possible, someday, thanks to the growing industry of printed electronics. The process, which allows manufacturers to literally print or roll materials onto surfaces to produce an electronically functional device, is already used in organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that form the displays of cellphones.

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