**Optoelectronics and Bio Devices on Paper Powered by Solar Cells Optoelectronics and Bio Devices on Paper Powered by Solar Cells**

António T. Vicente, Andreia Araújo, Diana Gaspar, António T. Vicente, Andreia Araújo, Diana Gaspar, Lídia Santos, Ana C. Marques,

Lídia Santos, Ana C. Marques, Manuel J. Mendes, Manuel J. Mendes, Luís Pereira,

Luís Pereira, Elvira Fortunato and Rodrigo Martins Elvira Fortunato and Rodrigo Martins

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/66695

## **Abstract**

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.

**Keywords:** cellulose, optoelectronic and bio devices, paper characterization, inkjet printing, solar cells on paper substrates

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© 2017 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
