Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices through Intelligent Flexographic Technology: A Review Article

Smart and mechanically flexible energy harvesting/storage devices are attractive for the immensely growing electronic, automobile, medical, and aerospace markets. The leading challenges with current devices are their limitations regarding installation on curvy design, high-manufacturing cost, and lower production rate. Therefore, new design strategies in terms of new materials, cost, and ability to scale up fabrication are imperative to meet the contemporary and future demands of these fast-growing markets. Flexographic printing is one of the newest technologies that promises cost-effective energy devices with better energy harvesting and high storage performance. Current knowledge, selection of suitable materials, and methods of flexographic printing for solar cell and battery construction are reviewed and summarized in this paper in comparison to existing printing technologies. The main purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive idea of flexographic printing for energy devices.

Automated summary

Smart and mechanically flexible energy harvesting/storage devices have gained significant attention in growing markets such as electronics, automobiles, medicine, and aerospace. However, current devices face challenges in terms of installation on curved surfaces, high manufacturing costs, and limited production rates. Therefore, new design strategies involving new materials, cost-effectiveness, and scalability are necessary to meet the demands of these markets. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of flexographic printing for energy devices by discussing its advantages over existing printing technologies and summarizing its application in solar cell and battery construction.