Solar Glasses: A Case Study on Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells for Self‐Powered, Smart, Wearable Devices

Abstract

We report on solution‐processed, semitransparent organic solar cells that are implemented as lenses in sunglasses. The electrical power provided by the lens‐fitted solar cells sustains a microelectronic circuit that is used to read out temperature and illumination intensity sensors and to make this information available on two displays integrated into the temples of the “Solar Glasses”. The microelectronic circuit is designed to operate at illumination intensities down to 500 lux, rendering the Solar Glasses suitable for outdoor and indoor use as well as for operation in diffuse light. Hence, this case study provides an example for consumer‐oriented mobile applications, self‐powered by integrated solar cells, which specifically exploit the unique properties of organic solar cells.

Sensing, Computing, and Communications for Energy Harvesting IoTs: A Survey

“…Combining with the on-board sensors, the wristband was able to detect human activities and communicate with a smartphone using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Similarly, a sunglass that is able to measure the sunlight intensity and ambient temperature without the need of battery was developed in [31]. The two lenses of the sunglass were fitted with semi-transparent solar cells, which harvests energy from the sunlight.…”

Shining Light on Organic Solar Cells

“…In 2017, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology introduced their Solar Glasses at the Hannover Messe, which is the leading industry fair in Germany, to showcase integrated light harvesting for energy supply to mobile applications. [1] Semitransparent (see-through) organic solar cells were implemented as shading lenses of sunglasses with their color designed to match the chassis (Figure 1a). Although the produced energy was "only" used to monitor the illumination intensity and the temperature, this demonstration of the unique features of organic solar cells strongly reverberated in the international media and visitors enthusiastically appreciated the new opportunities.…”

Encapsulated Textile Organic Solar Cells Fabricated by Spray Coating

“…Power supply requirements will vary, but will be in the order of milliwatts for the majority of wearable devices involving sensing and data transmission . Photovoltaic (PV) cells are one of the most promising energy harvesting techniques that could supply the power required by these wearable and e‐textile systems.…”