The advent of a flexible photovoltaic substrate could broaden the development and application of soft robotics and biomedical devices. In pursuit of a pliable power source, researchers from King Abdullah University of Researchers compare the flexibility of their solar cell with the rigid nature of a typical silicon solar cell. Source: KAUSTScience and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, successfully imparted ultrastretchability to conventionally rigid but highly efficient monocrystalline silicon solar cells.

After the back of a commercially available rigid silicon panel was coated with a highly stretchable, biocompatible elastomer, the cell was divided into multiple silicon islands by means of a laser patterning-based corrugation technique. Each island was electrically linked through interdigitated back contacts traversing the solar cell.

Rectangular and triangular patterns were also tested, each resulting in a different stretchability and loss of active silicon area. Optimal results were documented with the triangular sections: A record stretchability of 95% and solar conversion efficiency of 19%.

The researchers will use the flexible solar materials to power a multisensory artificial skin, and plan to develop solar panels with multidirectional stretching capability.