Core Viewpoint - A new fully organic solar cell developed by Kanazawa University and Queen's University has achieved a record power conversion efficiency of 8.7%, more than doubling the previous record, paving the way for the practical application of environmentally friendly solar cells [1][2] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - Traditional silicon-based solar cells have high efficiency but pose environmental burdens due to harmful substances, while perovskite solar cells raise concerns due to lead compounds [1] - Fully organic solar cells, made entirely from carbon-based materials, can be safely disposed of after use, significantly reducing environmental costs [1] - Previous efficiency of fully organic solar cells was only 4%, far below silicon (27%) and perovskite (26%) solar cells, primarily due to two technical bottlenecks: the need for strong acids, bases, or high-temperature annealing in the preparation of conductive organic electrodes, and damage to lower layer structures during multi-layer stacking processes [1] Group 2: Breakthroughs and Future Prospects - The research team employed a "gentle process" to overcome these challenges, developing a transparent electrode based on the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS, which can be prepared at 80°C without acids or bases [2] - They also introduced a carbon nanotube electrode lamination technique, forming electrodes on the solar cell barrier film and attaching them to the device, preventing damage to the underlying organic films during electrode manufacturing [2] - This combination of innovations has led to a significant increase in the efficiency of fully organic solar cells to 8.7%, marking a crucial step towards the practical application of high-performance fully organic solar cells [2] - Future applications for fully organic solar cells are expected in environmentally sensitive areas such as farmland and wearable devices, leveraging their lightweight and flexible characteristics [2]