PPV–PCBM bulk heterojunction organic solar cell to power modern pacemakers

Biomedical electronics devices perform an important role in medical domain. Today’s pacemakers are driven by primary batteries and are required to be replaced periodically. The output power achieved from a subdermally implanted solar cell primarily depends upon the human skin’s optical properties and the depth of device implementation. In the present article, feasibility of subdermal PPV–PCBM [poly(2-methoxy-5-{3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy}-p-phenylene vinylene) and {6,6}-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester] active layer-based bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic cell to power a modern pacemaker is investigated. A power output of 2.1 mW (milliwatts), 0.45 mW and 0.05 mW for Caucasian, Asian and African skin types is obtained at 2 mm implementation depth, respectively, which is adequate to run modern pacemakers requiring power in the range of (~ 10) microwatts. Further, the results also specifically show that higher output power is produced under brighter and thinner skin.Graphical abstract(a) A schematic view of application of Subdermal Organic Solar Cell that powers pacemaker. (b) Cross-sectional view of the tissue model geometry illustrating implantation site of organic solar cell within the skin. The organic solar cell is placed within subcutaneous tissue and is represented by green color. (c) Architecture of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cell.