Towards self-powered, flexible electronics

Flexible electronic devices that can conform to human skin could enable a range of biomedical applications, but an efficient method for powering such devices that does not rely on rigid power supplies or wire connections is still required. By integrating ultra-thin flexible organic solar cells with ultra-thin transistors and sensors, Takao Someya and colleagues demonstrate ultra-flexible electronic devices that are self-powered and that can measure biometric signals from skin or tissue, such as a heartbeat, without needing an external power source. This strategy could provide a general platform for developing self-powered flexible electronics.