March 2023
What looks like the microscopist’s version of the search for the needle in the haystack is in reality a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image depicting several overlapping silver nanowires (AgNWs). These wires exhibit a diameter of roughly 35 nm and a length of several microns. The shown AgNW network forms a conductive layer that can be used as a new type of electrode material. A special feature of such an electrode is its transparency to visible light and a very high resilience regarding mechanical stress. All these properties make them a promising candidate for all types of flexible electronic devices such as sensors or solar cells.