Fabrication and Investigation of a Flexible Yarn-based Film Solar Cell for Smart Clothing

The innovative solar cell is fabricated by coating functional layers around a fibre substrate to create photoelectric filaments through magnetron sputtering. Unlike conventional methods of wearable solar cell fabrication, this technology involves a controllable, waterless and environmentally friendly process. The cylindrical form of the finished solar cell enables it to absorb sunlight from all directions (360°) without the need to rotate with the sun. It is lightweight, flexible and knittable with high sunlight absorption and photoelectric conversion rates. Filament solar cells can be knitted into fabrics to create self-powered textiles for wearable electronics and a wide range of other applications.