ABOUT BOOK

The employment of printing techniques as cost-effective methods to fabricate low cost, ~flexible, disposable and sustainable solar cells is intimately dependent on the substrate ~properties and the adequate electronic devices to be powered by them. Among such ~devices, there is currently a growing interest in the development of user-oriented and ~multipurpose systems for intelligent packaging or on-site medical diagnostics, which ~would greatly benefit from printable solar cells as their energy source for autonomous ~operation. ~This chapter first describes and analyzes different types of cellulose-based substrates for ~flexible and cost effective optoelectronic and bio devices to be powered by printed solar ~cells. Cellulose is one of the most promising platforms for green recyclable electronics ~and it is fully compatible with large-scale printing techniques, although some critical ~requirements must be addressed. Paper substrates exist in many forms. From common ~office paper, to packaging cardboard used in the food industry, or nanoscale engineered ~cellulose (e.g. bacterial cellulose). However, it is the structure and content of paper that ~determines its end use. Secondly, proof-of-concept of optoelectronic and bio devices produced ~by inkjet printing are described and show the usefulness of solar cells as a power ~source or as a chemical reaction initiator for sensors.