Next-generation thin-film photovoltaic devices are drawing significant attention as off-grid power sources for next-generation wearable electronics, such as biosensors, electronic skins, and displays. Among them, organic photovoltaics (OPVs)-based flexible photovoltaic platforms can be seamlessly integrated to any devices while supplying efficient light harvesting owing to their unique features of high power-per-weight output and their excellent mechanical robustness. Indeed, in the last few decades, significant advancements have been achieved in OPVs, which exhibit power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 18% for single-junction cells via optimization of photovoltaic donor/acceptor (D/A) materials (especially developing non-fullerene (NF) acceptors), device architectures, and D/A blend morphologies. As a result, we are witnessing advances in flexible and even stretchable organic solar cells as energy sources for state-of-the-art devices.
Despite the surprising progress in OPVs, achieving such high efficiency and reasonable mechanical robustness simultaneously for wearable devices is still considered a grand challenge. Challenges to overcome include material designs, fabrication processes, novel device structures, and performance characterization under diverse harsh circumstances.
This symposium welcomes a collection of abstracts that highlight these major challenges in the state-of-the-art novel organic material designs, device structures for enhancing mechanical stability, and fabrication processes on plastic substrates. The symposium will be open to various researchers focusing on materials and devices for flexible and wearable electronics and their applications, including biosensors, e-skins, and system-level integrations.