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As the demand for photovoltaic technologies continues to grow, the quest for efficient and sustainable transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) rapidly rises. Traditional solutions, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), face challenges related to indium scarcity and environmental impact. To tackle these issues, a novel metal mesh rear TCE consisting of gold micro-meshes is developed as ITO replacement in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This study reveals that optimized Au meshes can guarantee 75% of the extracted photocurrent compared to reference devices with ITO and a promising power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.65%. By utilizing hybrid mesh structures with a 10-nm ITO layer, the PCE further improves to 12.1%, with the extracted current exceeding 80% of the reference. Metal meshes can even serve to replace the opaque metal contact of PSCs, amplifying their functionality and efficiency through bifacial and multi-junction applications. Here, aerosol jet-printed silver meshes serve as front electrodes, combined with either 5–10 nm of Au, achieving efficient semi-transparent devices (PCE 16.8%), or with 5–10 nm of ITO, providing enhanced bifacial properties while maintaining competitive efficiency. Overall, this work highlights remarkable features of metal meshes, making them promising alternatives to commonly used TCEs in optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) are indispensable components of various optoelectronic devices such as displays, touch screen panels, solar cells, and smart windows. To date, the fabrication processes for metal mesh‐based TCEs are either costly or having limited resolution and throughput. Here, a two‐step surface energy‐directed assembly (SEDA) process to efficiently fabricate high resolution silver meshes is introduced. The two‐step SEDA process turns from assembly on a functionalized substrate with hydrophilic mesh patterns into assembly on a functionalized substrate with stripe patterns. During the SEDA process, a three‐phase contact line pins on the hydrophilic pattern regions while recedes on the hydrophobic non‐pattern regions, ensuring that the assembly process can be achieved with excellent selectivity. The necessity of using the two‐step SEDA process rather than a one‐step SEDA process is demonstrated by both experimental results and theoretical analysis. Utilizing the two‐step SEDA process, silver meshes with a line width down to 2 µm are assembled on both rigid and flexible substrates. The thickness of the silver meshes can be tuned by varying the withdraw speed and the assembly times. The assembled silver meshes exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties (sheet resistance of 1.79 Ω/□, optical transmittance of ≈92%, and a FoM value of 2465) as well as excellent mechanical stability. The applications of the assembled silver meshes in touch screen panels and thermal heaters are demonstrated, implying the potential of using the two‐step SEDA process for the fabrication of TCEs for optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators were prepared with Nafion film as the ionic polymer and gold nanowire (Au-NW) mesh film as the metal electrodes by hot-pressing, which shortened preparation time within 1 h. As a reference, IPMC actuator consisting of Nafion film and gold foil (Au-foil) was also prepared. Au-NW mesh film can be an electrode with thinner (about 150 nm) and lower surface resistivity (about 0.5 Ω sq−1) than the conventional electrode prepared by electroless plating. Larger contact area of the Au-NW mesh electrode than the Au-foil electrode resulted in better actuation performance (60% larger peak-to-peak displacement in actuation). It was confirmed that the transformation behavior of Au-NWs differed depending on the external stimuli condition. Namely Au-NWs transformed to Au nanoparticles in the case of the heat stimulus only. Meanwhile, Au-NWs transformed to plates in the case of the heat and pressure stimuli. While higher temperature improved the adhesion of Au-NW mesh electrode to the Nafion surface, it induced the transformation of nanowire to plates. The IPMC actuator that the Au-NW mesh electrodes were hot-pressed at 90 ºC exhibited the highest capacitance and the largest peak-to-peak displacement in actuation. This research expanded the application field of gold nanowires to the electromechanical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with embedded metal mesh composed of composite materials or structures have excellent comprehensive performance, which has attracted extensive attention, but it also brings great challenges to its manufacturing. Herein, a simple and cost-effective fabrication process free of template, vacuum processes is proposed for high-performance FTEs with ultra-fine embedded Cu/Ag(shell)-P4VP(core) conductive grid via a microscale hybrid additive manufacturing technique. The produced FTE exhibits excellent properties with a sheet resistance of 2.5 O, a transmittance of 93% at a line pitch of 250 µm, and an ultra-fine line width of 4 µm, low surface roughness (Ra = 5.28 nm), and excellent mechanical stability (no change in Rs after 100 adhesion and 150 scratch tests). The FTEs expose only a few conductive areas, which make it excellent environmental stability (no change in Rs after exposure to humidity environment for 72 h). The flexible electroluminescent device fabricated with this FTE has good bending and luminescent properties, showing great potential for flexible optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D stretchable transparent electrodes (STE) are required to conform to non‐flat complex 3D surfaces for next‐generation stretchable optoelectronic devices. However, it is a great challenge to simultaneously maintain omnidirectional stretchability, high transmittance, and the least change in conductivity at large strain. In this work, omnidirectionally stretchable 2D transparent electrode is achieved by hybrid printed copper mesh embedded in an elastic material. The electrode displays exceedingly low sheet resistance down to 0.12 Ω sq−1 while still maintaining 80% of optical transparency. Two types of mesh geometries, the horseshoe‐like and sinusoid‐like shapes, are thoroughly investigated by simulations and experiments. By optimizing the key geometrical parameters of mesh structure, the copper mesh can endure stretching up to 130% with no fractures and no resistivity change. After 1000 stretch‐and‐release cycles at 10% strain, the copper mesh remains intact with negligible resistance variation. For 2D stretchability, the copper mesh is stretched in eight directions simultaneously and can maintain its initial conductivity up to 50% tensile deformation. As a demonstration of application, the copper mesh STE is employed in a stretchable electroluminescent device that maintained uniform lighting up to 120% stretching and 100 stretch‐release cycles at 30% strain, showing its potential in stretchable and wearable optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal mesh transparent electrodes present a promising alternative to Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) due to their adjustable period and favourable trade-off between transmittance and conductivity. In this work, a template-free, non-high temperature hybrid additive manufacturing approach of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Cu core--shell structure high-resolution metal mesh flexible transparent electrode (FTE) is proposed. The electric field-driven (EFD) 3D printing method was employed to print ultra-fine lines with widths as low as 1 μm. The composite-plating process combining electroless plating and electroplating has solved the structural defects of single deposition process. The prepared FTE has an excellent conductivity down to 1 Ω/sq and 89% light transmission (at 550 nm). Its exceptional mechanical properties and environmental stability make it suitable for diverse working environments. Even after undergoing 2000 bends at a radius of 3 mm, the resistance change rate remains as low as 1.4%. The resistance exhibits an approximately 8% change rate in the acid--base environment experiments conducted over 72 h. The flexible touch screen prepared with this FTE exhibits excellent writing performance in both flat and curved working scenarios. Furthermore, the significant potential of this FTE in the field of optoelectronics is effectively demonstrated through its exceptional luminescent performance in electroluminescent devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent electrodes (TEs) with metal mesh are regarded as a substitute for traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. The manufacture of metal mesh based on micro‐molds will be a low‐cost and high‐efficiency method, but the cost‐effective fabrication of micro‐molds with a high aspect ratio (AR) currently faces challenges. Here, a polymer micro‐mold with high AR based on an electric‐field‐driven (EFD) micro‐scale 3D printing and molding process is proposed for the mass production of TEs with metal meshes. The final fabricated flexible transparent electrode (FTE) based on polymer micro‐mold with high AR exhibits superior optoelectronic properties with a figure of merit (FOM) of 1800, as well as excellent mechanical stability with a slight increase in the sheet resistance (Rs) during cyclic bending, scratching, torsion, and adhesion tests. Furthermore, the fabricated rigid TE based on polymer micro‐mold shows remarkable performance and stability with a FOM of 2500, a negligible increase in the Rs under harsh working conditions, and a robust heating cycle. Whether used for the manufacture of FTEs or rigid TEs, the polymer micro‐mold shows good service life. This strategy provides support for the efficient and environmentally friendly mass production of high‐performance TEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with embedded metal meshes play an indispensable role in many optoelectronic devices due to their excellent mechanical stability and environmental adaptability. However, low-cost, simple, efficient, and environmental friendly integrated manufacturing of high-performance embedded metal meshes remains a huge challenge. Here, a facile and novel fabrication method is proposed for FTEs with an embedded metal mesh via liquid substrateelectric-field-driven microscale 3D printing process. This direct printing strategy avoids tedious processes and offers low-cost and high-volume production, enabling the fabrication of high-resolution, high-aspect ratio embedded metal meshes without sacrificing transparency. The final manufactured FTEs with 80 mm × 80 mm embedded metal mesh offers excellent optoelectronic performance with a sheet resistance (Rs) of 6 𝛀 sq-1 and a transmittance (T) of 85.79%. The embedded metal structure still has excellent mechanical stability and good environmental suitability under different harsh working conditions. The practical feasibility of the FTEs is successfully demonstrated with a thermally driven 4D printing structure and a resistive transparent strain sensor. This method can be used to manufacture large areas with facile, high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-performance FTEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible transparent electrodes are widely used in flexible displays, optoelectronic devices, flexible heating/electromagnetic shielding devices, and flexible sensors. However, significant challenges remain to obtain stable service under harsh environments, owing to the limitations of flexible transparent substrates and conductive materials. Herein, a simple and cost‐effective fabrication approach for harsh‐environment flexible transparent electrodes (HFTEs) is demonstrated via the electric field‐driven microscale 3D printing of a silver mesh on a colorless polyimide (CPI) substrate. Vertical jet orientation on the CPI substrate is realized by controlling the printing parameters, which effectively reduce the instability of the cone jet and is conducive to the preparation of the high‐precision silver mesh on the CPI substrate. The HFTE exhibits good optoelectronic properties (resistance of 4.82 Ω sq−1 and transmittance of 92.26%), and excellent extreme environmental stability with a negligible increase in sheet resistance under various cyclic tests (200 000 bending cycles, 100 adhesion tests, high temperature heating capacity of 360 °C, 80 h of chemical attack, and 120 days of atmospheric environment attack). Baking of quail eggs and deicing experiments are also conducted, which successfully demonstrate the practical viability of the HFTE. Thus, the proposed technique offers a simple and efficient solution for the manufacturing of HFTEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic, deformable electrodes have attracted substantial interest owing to their applicability in unconventional stretchable devices. In this study, we investigate the effect of tensile strain on the conductive properties of gold nanowire (AuNW) network electrodes with macroscale mesh structures (mesh-shaped AuNW network electrodes) and the mechanism by which the mesh structure affects its conductivity, with the aim of maintaining a stable conductivity as the electrodes are stretched. At 150% elongation, the proposed AuNW macroscale mesh exhibited a relative resistance change (Δ R / R 0 ) of 11, as opposed to 30 for AuNW network electrodes without a mesh structure. Microstructural analysis revealed that resistance changes in the mesh-shaped AuNW network electrodes depend on the electrode stretching direction and the current direction within the network. Our experimental and analytical results provide a basis for optimizing the mesh design for metal nanowire networks used in stretchable electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with high optical transmittance, low sheet resistance, and high flexibility are critical and indispensable components of emerging flexible optoelectronic devices. Indium tin oxide (ITO), the major transparent conductive material used for optoelectronics nowadays, is not suitable for flexible applications because of its brittleness. In the past decade, researchers have developed a wide variety of new transparent conductive materials to replace ITO, among which metal‐based FTEs (m‐FTEs) including ultrathin metal films, metal nanowire networks, and metal meshes appear to be particularly promising. In this review, the authors summarize the major challenges of each type of metal‐based transparent materials and highlight the corresponding research strategies and remarkable achievements in recent years. In the following, the possibility of scalable production of such m‐FTEs from the perspective of the material choice and fabrication technology is discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges and the perspective of m‐FTEs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low reflective metal oxide alloys thin film and its additive trace on colorless polyimide (CPI) were proposed to achieve better visual experience for near‐eye display and eye tracking optical transparent electrode application. Furthermore, addictive manufacturing process on Cu(CuO)/Epoxy‐CPI structure was used to implement a prototype eye tracking electrode that showed low value of trace resistance and tight resistance tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane gas conversion was studied in customized flow-type reactors with different dielectric barrier discharge generated in Ar-CH4-O2 gas mixtures. Different reactor geometries (with either volume or surface-type discharges) and different electrode materials were compared, and gas temperatures during methane conversion processes were evaluated. The discharge was generated by applying either a conventional sinusoid or nanosecond-pulsed voltage. The methane conversion rate was as high as ~99% with the total gas flow rate of 15 sccm, while the temperatures did not exceed 450 K. No significant effect of electrode material (stainless steel, aluminum, or CuO coated copper) was found, confirming that the conversion temperatures were much lower than those required for activity of typical catalysts. The reactor geometry, flow rate, and oxygen amount could be used to govern both the methane conversion rate and the fractions of components in the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent antennas and electromagnetic-wave shielding using existing optically transparent electrodes (TEs) such as indium tin oxide, MLF, and metal mesh were investigated. We analyzed the optical and electrical characteristics of a liquid TE using saltwater compared to those of conventional solid TEs. Saltwater with a salinity of 35 ppt (conductivity=5 s/m) has an average transparency of >95% in the visible band. A planar saltwater layer with a 3 mm thickness has a shielding effectiveness performance of >22 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the design and fabrication of a smart electrochromic supercapacitor using Au mesh and polyaniline (PANI) electrodes is reported. The Au mesh is obtained through the crackle templating method, whereas PANI is brought in by electrodeposition. The device exhibits a high capacitance of ≈15 mF cm−2 with good charge–discharge cycling stability. What is attractive about this device is that it can switch its color rapidly to yellow, green, or blue, depending on the operable voltage window that should serve to indicate the level of energy stored in the supercapacitor, visually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) based conductive electrode have shown potential for use in large area flexible optoelectronic applications. Presently, considerable efforts are being made to lower the surface roughness and enhance the opto-electrical performance of AgNWs based transparent conductive electrode(TCE) for optoelectronic application, which require a smooth surface for high efficiency performance. In this work, we designed a hybrid metal electrode with low surface roughness fabricated by coating an AgNWs onto a metal mesh on Polyethylene terephthalate substrate (AgNW/MM/PET). The AgNW/MM/PET TCE, fabricated by a method of hot pressing after wire wound-rod coating process, exhibits a low surface roughness of 8 nm and 16.33 nm of maximum peak-to-valley value with the low sheet resistance of 0.668 Ω/sq. and a high optical transmittance of 91.25% at λ = 550 nm. In addition, the hot pressed AgNW/MM/PET TCE shows excellent mechanical stability along with long-term reliability in bending tests and strong adhesion in taping test, compared to the annealed AgNW/MM/PET TCE. Therefore, the hot pressed AgNW/MM/PET electrodes with low surface roughness and high opto-electrical performance could be a potential candidate to replace indium doped tin oxide electrodes in flexible electronic application. • Hot pressed Silver nanowire (AgNW) on Metal mesh (MM) electrode was prepared. • Hot pressed AgNW/MM/PET electrode exhibited low surface roughness of 8 nm. • Hot pressed AgNW/MM/PET exhibits 0.668 Ω/sq. with 91.25% of transmittance. • Hot pressed AgNW/MM/PET electrode was reliable in bending and taping test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A facile and inexpensive strategy develop bilayer metal mesh electrode inspired by natural networks. • A very fine and interconnected vein structure transparent electrode fabrication by three types of leaves. • Bi layer metal meshes using Hamelia leaves have outstanding electrical and optical properties. • Average visible transmittance for Ag-Cu metal mesh is 91.51% and sheet resistance was 5.7 Ω/□. Abstract Nature-inspired structures as transparent conducting electrodes are exciting alternatives to conventional TCEs because they provide higher transmittance and conductivity at low temperatures on flexible substrates. The current work is focussed to develop a metal mesh structure with the help of plant leaf vein as a template. Bilayer metal mesh of thickness <100 nm was deposited and transferred to flexible plastic substrate at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy images were used to obtain the ratio of open area space and covered space of the electrodes. The bilayer metal mesh structure shows high optical transmittance (>85%) and electrical resistivity of the order of 10−4 Ω cm. The metal mesh TCE based on leaf vein template opens up new ways of obtaining large charge transfer resolving the junction resistance problem encountered in case of metal nanowires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising candidate for a top cell in a tandem solar cell setup is a superstate, high bandgap, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) solar cell. To realize a tandem cell, both, front and back contact of the top cell must be transparent. In this work a molybdenum metal mesh electrode with four pattern derivatives is presented, which are designed towards this implementation in a tandem cell setup. The electrode consists of two-micron wide fingers arranged in an industry typical H-grid pattern and in a hexagonal shaped pattern, with each of these patterns being comprised of a derivative with and without tapered busbars. The electrode's micro structure, crystal orientation, surface roughness, electrical properties and optical properties are investigated. The manufacturing process as well as a comparison of this works electrodes with various competing electrode types is also presented. All electrode derivatives show excellent transmittance of up to 97% within and beyond the visible spectrum while retaining acceptable sheet resistances of about 30 Ω/□. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent conductive oxide-less dye-sensitized solar cells with back contact Ti electrodes covered by thin compact titanium nitride (TiN) layer were studied. The TiN compact layer was fabricated on the surface of Ti wire by exposing Ti wires to laser under nitrogen atmosphere. The photovoltaic performance was improved after the compact TiN blocking layer was fabricated on the Ti wire. These results were explained by the suppression of charge recombination between electrons in Ti wires and I3- in electrolytes by the TiN compact layer. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A controlled high-resolution random metal mesh fabrication was fabricated via electric field driven printing technology. • The vertical jet printing process eliminates the mismatch between random metal grid design and manufacturing. • The fabricated random metal meshes show good potential for application in flexible touch screens. Electrohydrodynamic jet printing technology is recognized as one of the most desirable solutions for direct printing of metal meshes. However, electrohydrodynamic jet printing technology makes it difficult to achieve reproducible printing of random metal meshes due to the low stability as well as controllability of the cone jets. Here, a simple and cost-effective printing technique for fabricating flexible transparent electrodes with controlled knot-free random metal meshes was proposed. The simple and green fabrication of transparent electrodes with different random metal meshes was achieved by precisely adjusting the printing process parameters. The sheet resistance variation of the manufactured FTEs with random metal mesh was less than 10 %, showing excellent reliability and stability and environmental adaptability, demonstrating better optoelectronic performance, after 1000 cycles of bending, 180 cycles of adhesion testing, and 72 h of damp heat testing. More importantly, the diffraction experiments show that the fabricated random metal meshes can reduce the negative effects of higher-order diffraction and eliminate the moiré fringe phenomenon. A flexible touch screen application demonstrated the practicality of manufactured FTEs with random metal mesh (area: 80 mm × 130 mm, sheet resistance: 16 Ω/sq, transmittance: 86 %). The proposed method offers a very promising strategy for the efficient and green integrated fabrication of random metal meshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A foldable organic light-emitting diode display integrating a touch sensor is fabricated. The touch sensor has an in-cell structure where metal-mesh sensor electrodes are formed in a counter substrate. It is demonstrated that touch on the entire panel surface, including a bent portion, is detected and that the touch panel operates correctly after 100,000 folding operations with a radius of curvature of 5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the investigations of electrochemical preparation of self-organized aluminum mesh for display applications. This new technology can be used for the production of optically transparent electrodes for display devices without indium-tin oxide films. The aluminum meshes on glass surface were obtained by anodizing of thin Al films sputtered on sodium glass in oxalic acid solution at voltage of 50 V and chemical etching of porous alumina. It has been shown that the maximum Al meshes conductivity can be prepared by anodizing of thin Al films in acid solutions at a higher temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: dynamic windows; electrochemistry; reversible metal electrodeposition; transparent metal mesh EN dynamic windows electrochemistry reversible metal electrodeposition transparent metal mesh 1 1 1 08/29/22 20220822 NES 220822 B Dynamic Windows b In article number 2200854, Michael D. McGehee and co-workers discuss the metal mesh electrode design principles for dynamic windows based on reversible metal electrodeposition that electronically tint from a clear state to a color-neutral privacy state (<0.1% transmission). Dynamic windows, electrochemistry, reversible metal electrodeposition, transparent metal mesh Transparent, High-Charge Capacity Metal Mesh Electrode for Reversible Metal Electrodeposition Dynamic Windows with Dark-State Transmission <0.1% (Adv. [Extracted from the article]

We propose a concept of transparent electrode for solar cells surpassing conventional transparent conductive oxide. Transparent electrode requires low electrical resistivity, high optical transparency, and high optical haze. Although transparent conductive oxide by chemical vapor deposition is widely used as a transparent electrode for solar cells, a breakthrough of the trade-off between electrical and optical properties is required for further improvement of solar cell efficiency. We demonstrate solution-processed electrode fabrication by using nanoimprint technology and metal nanoparticle ink. Silver mesh electrode is self-aligned on nanoimprinted texture with concave pattern as a template for mesh grid. Our electrode concept can realize desired high optical haze by nanoimprinted texture, as well as low electrical resistivity and high optical transparency by metal mesh electrode simultaneously, which boosts solar cell efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag mesh electrode was researched as a replacement for indium-tin oxide electrode in flexible electronics because of its low sheet resistance and high transparency. In this study, Ag mesh pattern created using Ag nanoparticles (20 nm of diameter) was arranged on a patterned polymer substrate using thermal roll-to-roll imprint lithography. Using this method, the Ag mesh-patterned electrode achieved scalability and high throughput. The fabricated Ag 3D mesh electrode showed an average optical transmittance of 69 %, and sheet resistance of 18 Ω/sq was measured for 60 min of annealing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have newly developed the mutual-capacitive touch screen using double layered metal mesh electrodes with separated floating electrodes in borders between X- and Y-directional electrodes. We have defined the effect of the floating electrode with an electric field simulation and improved the sensitivity and the response time of the touch screen by separating the floating electrode into several small patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on a metal mesh electrode. [•] The metal mesh electrode provides a higher field enhancement than flat electrode. [•] The field emission performance of the CNTs on metal mesh was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical image sensor has attracted much attention because of its ability to visualize the spatial distribution of biochemical species in solution. However, the lateral diffusion of photo-generated carriers generated by illuminating backside of the substrate limits the spatial resolution of the sensor and the sharpness of the image. In this study, honeycomb meshed metal array based on microsphere lithography as working electrodes of the sensor is proposed. A focused light spot illuminates a plurality of periodic and ordered mesh holes and the metal electrodes adjacent to the mesh holes. For chemical imaging performance, sensors with honeycomb meshed working electrodes are developed for comparison with the sensor the flat working electrodes, and their spatial resolution is tested under the focused light spot with different sizes. Three interpretations of improved spatial resolution including enhanced recombination of the photo-generated holes by electrons during the initial stage of lateral diffusion and two boundary cases of modulated light illuminating meshed working electrodes on the substrate are elaborated. The experimental results show that the spatial resolution of sensor chips with honeycomb meshed working electrodes is better than that of the sensor with the flat working electrodes and is higher under the illumination condition of smaller light spots. [Display omitted] • Honeycomb meshed metal array as working electrodes of sensor is proposed. • Mesh holes and the meshed working electrodes are illuminated by the focused light spot with different sizes. • Enhanced recombination of the photo-generated holes by electrons during the initial stage of lateral diffusion. • Improved spatial resolution benefits from two boundary cases of modulated light illuminating meshed working electrodes. • High spatial resolution of sensor with meshed working electrodes is obtained under the illumination of smaller light spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Touch screen panel is one of the most innovative parts in modern electronic devices. We developed a single-layer printed metal-mesh touch screen sensor using projective capacitive touch sensing. The sensing electrodes and routing electrodes are printed at once forming a single layer by reverse-offset printing using Ag nanoparticle ink. Each sensing electrode is composed of rectangular metal mesh. In this paper, we described the manufacturing process of 5' single-layer printed metal-mesh touch sensor implemented on transparent plastic film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured metal mesh structures demonstrating excellent conductivity and high transparency are one of the promising transparent conducting electrode (TCE) alternatives for indium tin oxide (ITO). Often, these metal nanostructures are to be employed as hybrids along with a conducting filler layer to collect charge carriers from the network voids and to minimize current and voltage losses. The influence of filler layers on dictating the extent of such ohmic loss is complex. Here, we used a general numerical model to correlate the sheet resistance of the filler, lateral charge transport distance in network voids, metal mesh line width and ohmic losses in optoelectronic devices. To verify this correlation, we prepared gold or copper network electrodes with different line widths and different filler layers, and applied them as TCEs in perovskite solar cells. We show that the photovoltaic parameters scale with the hybrid metal network TCE properties and an Au-network or Cu-network with aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) filler can replace ITO very well, validating our theoretical predictions. Thus, the proposed model could be employed to select an appropriate filler layer for a specific metal mesh electrode geometry and dimensions to overcome the possible ohmic losses in optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cu/Ag composite mesh transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) were prepared. • Laser direct writing and PVP-assisted removal of sputtered metal layers were adopted. • The Cu/Ag mesh TCE had much lower reflectance (5.71%) than the Ag mesh TCE (10.38%). • The Cu/Ag composite mesh transparent heater exhibited excellent heating performance. ga1 We developed a kind of Cu/Ag composite mesh transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) with low reflection on glass substrates through a simple and effective method, and successfully applied them to fabricate transparent heaters with high performance. By combining laser direct writing and PVP coating-assisted localized removal of sputtered metal layers, Cu/Ag composite mesh TCEs with excellent optical and electrical properties were efficiently prepared and showed a low average reflectance down to 5.71% while maintaining a high average transmittance of 86.49% and a low sheet resistance of 0.43 Ω/sq. The transparent heater based on the as-obtained Cu/Ag composite mesh TCE exhibited an effective and rapid heating performance, being confirmed by achieving a steady-state temperature of ~131 °C within 100 s under an ultra-low applied voltage of 0.8 V. A deicing test of an ice block on the transparent heater was also successfully demonstrated. Good optical and electrical properties as well as excellent thermal stability and reliability imply that the transparent heaters based on the Cu/Ag composite mesh TCEs hold great promise in windshield deicing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the ultrashort timescale and high-power density, femtosecond laser is a powerful tool for localized material ablation with high processing accuracy and cleanliness. In this work, femtosecond laser direct writing was used to selectively ablate and remove the copper/silver (Cu/Ag) double-layer metal films on glass substrates for fabricating mesh-type transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs). In particular, the effects of laser fluence and laser scanning speed on surface morphology and photoelectric properties of the TCEs were studied. By using a laser fluence of 1.1 J/cm2 and a laser scanning speed of 400 mm/s, the optimal removal result of the Cu/Ag double-layer metal film was achieved with the minimal damage to the glass substrate. The as-obtained TCE showed a high average transmittance of 87.89% and a low sheet resistance of 1.36 Ω /sq. As an application, a transparent heater based on the as-obtained TCE exhibited an efficient, rapid and stable heating performance, being confirmed by achieving a high temperature of ∼ 144 °C under a low applied voltage of 2.0 V. The femtosecond laser selective ablation strategy for laser patterning of metal-based films provides a unique scheme for the rapid fabrication of metal mesh-type TCEs under the mask-free condition and room temperature. • Femtosecond laser selective ablation was used for patterning of Cu/Ag bilayer films. • Cu/Ag mesh-type transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) and heaters were fabricated. • The optimal laser fluence (1.1 J/cm2) and scanning speed (400 mm/s) were determined. • The mesh-type TCEs had excellent optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. • The mesh-type heaters exhibited an efficient, rapid and stable heating performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new Magnetically aided Electric Discharge Machining methods(M-EDM)has been developed. • The compatible of powder size (electrode) and surface porous (substrate) has been studied. • Micro-structures on metal mesh has been firstly textured via Electric discharge machining. • The relationship between contact angle and surface structures has been studied on micro and macro. Fabrication of micro-structures is crucial to controlling surface wettability. Magnetically aided electrical discharge machining (EDM) is proposed for texturing of surfaces with complex geometries. In this approach, a magnetic field helps powder to accumulate on an electrode tip. The powder is flowable and can conform to the surface. In our experiments, a metal mesh was used as substrate and modified to be superhydrophobic so that it could be used to perform separations. Various mesh and powder sizes from rough to fine were tested to optimize compatibility between the electrode and substrate. The surface morphology, pore size, and wettability of the textured metal mesh were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and a contact angle meter. The textured mesh exhibited improved contact angle stability, anti-corrosion performance and mechanical stability. Various mesh sizes were tested for separation speed and efficiency. In addition, durability after cyclical use and universal separation capabilities were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical part of the transfer function of an electrochemical transducer is studied. The transduction processes are simulated, the processing of the mechanical signal in time is shown, and the electrochemical part of the transfer function of the electrochemical transducer with mesh electrodes is calculated. We also measured directly the electrochemical part of the transfer function of an electrochemical transducer with mesh electrodes by direct control of the mechanical flow of electrolyte in the channel of the transducer. A good agreement of the calculations with the experiment was found. The method of a priori estimation of the electrochemical efficiency of a transducing element, irrespective of which hydromechanical oscillatory system it is built in, is extremely important for the development of microelectronic electrochemical devices. • Non-stationary convective diffusion in electrochemical transducers is simulated. • Mathmodel of a mass and charge transfer takes into account all types of ions. • Electrochemical part of the transfer function measured experimentally. • Method to estimate the electrochemical efficiency of electrode structure is developed. • The effective electrode length for a wire mesh transducer is 11% efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scalable fabrication strategy is reported for the solution‐based electrochemical fabrication of microscale metal meshes from reusable, non‐sacrificial templates. This approach enables the reproducible fabrication of meshes, potentially made of any electrochemically depositable metal and transferable to a variety of polymeric substrates. Unlike other existing approaches, this benchtop method repetitively mass‐produces metal meshes whose geometric features are predefined by a template, without requiring lithography or any vacuum processes in each production cycle. Using this technique, a number of prototype‐flexible and stretchable transparent electrodes with an embedded metal mesh with micro‐sized linewidths are demonstrated with transmittance as high as 90% and sheet resistance as low as 0.036 Ω□−1, corresponding to a high figure of merit of 3.4 × 104 at 4 μm mesh linewidth, and the electrodeposition template showed no degradation after at least 20 production cycles. In addition to outstanding optical and electrical performances, the resulting electrodes show excellent mechanical robustness and stability against chemicals and harsh environment. The electrodes are further tested in flexible bifacial dye‐sensitized solar cells and stretchable transparent thin‐film heaters, confirming their suitability and reliability for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium thin oxide (ITO)-free planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated at a low temperature (150 °C) in this work based on the transparent electrode of photolithography processed nickel/gold (Ni/Au) mesh and the high conductivity polymer, PH1000. Ultrathin Au was introduced to increase the conductivity of metal mesh, and the optimal hexagonal Ni (30 nm)/Au (10 nm) mesh (line width of 5 μm) shows a transmittance close to 80% in the visible light region and a sheet resistance lower than 16.9 Ω/sq. The conductive polymer PH1000 not only smooths the raised surface of the metal mesh but also enhances the charge collection ability of metal mesh. The fabricated PSCs have the typical planar structure (glass/Ni-Au mesh/PH1000/PEDOT:PSS/MAyFA1−yPbIxCl3−x/PCBM/BCP/Ag) and the champion PSC (0.09 cm2) obtains a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.88%, negligible current hysteresis, steady current density and PCE outputs, and good process repeatability. Its photovoltaic performance and stability are comparable to the reference PSC based on the ITO electrodes (PCE = 15.70%), which demonstrates that the Ni/Au mesh transparent electrodes are a promising ITO alternative to fabricate efficient PSCs. The relatively lower performance of Ni/Au based PSC results from the relatively slower charge extraction and stronger charge recombination than the ITO based PSC. Further, we tried to fabricate the large area (1 cm2) device and achieve a PCE over 6% with negligible hysteresis and steady current density and PCE outputs. The improvements of perovskite film quality and interface modification should be an effective approach to further enhance the device performance of Ni/Au based PSCs, and the Ni/Au mesh electrode may find wider applications in PSCs and flexible devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hybrid-structured metal mesh (HMM) films as potential flexible transparent electrodes, composed of aligned micro-sized metal fibers integrated into random network of metal nanofibers, were fabricated by the combination of electrospinning and metal deposition. These naturally fiber-bridged HMMs, with a gold layer thickness of 85 nm, exhibited a high transmittance of around 90% and a sheet resistance of approximately 10 Ω sq−1, as well as favorable mechanical stability under bending stress. These results demonstrate that the approach employed herein is a simple, highly efficient, and facile process for fabricating, uniform, interconnected fiber networks with potential for producing high-performance flexible transparent electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]