Solution-processed metal nanowire mesh transparent electrode for large-area electronics

A team of Stanford engineers have developed a low-cost solution-processed method to fabricate a flexible nanowire mesh that can be used in transparent electrodes as a replacement for metal oxides (such as ITO indium tin oxide). This fabrication technique is carried out at moderate temperatures which are gentler to the underlying layers than sputtering. In addition the resulting films are more conductive than ITO for the same transparency resulting in solar cells that outperform devices based on ITO. Other applications for the nanowire mesh include large area electronics such as flat panel displays and light-emitting devices.