Environmental Impact of Flexible Energy Devices

Abstract

Nowadays, the environmental assessment of technology advances has emerged as mandatory due to its vital role in gaining constructive insights to mitigate future negative environmental impacts. An important aspect of systematic technology and product innovation ought to be the investigation of environmental problems. In the transition toward a more eco-friendly society, flexible energy conversion and storage devices constitute the cornerstone of such achievement. This technology is important to increase the use of renewable energy in the future grid and reduce the use of fossil fuels. To boost the capabilities, new flexible device technologies, such as solar cells, supercapacitors, and modern designs of lithium-ion batteries, employ toxic materials, leading to dire consequences for the environment. In this regard, and by referring to available literature, the significant lack of a broad perspective connecting their actions in the environment and the above consequences are evident. Hence, flexible devices are analyzed in this chapter to showcase their effect on the environment. Based on the carried assessment, it can be concluded that a preliminary deep investigation of materials and fabrication process features is recommended to reach the mature stage of eco-sustainability for flexible device technology.