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

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.