It is nearly 40 years since the discovery of electrically conducting polymers by Prof Alan Heeger, Nobel Laureate, and nearly 30 years since the first organic heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) device was reported. Given the concentration of research undertaken around the world, organic (including organic-inorganic hybrid) solar cell technology is now a maturing technology, with academic breakthroughs progressing in increasingly rapid timescales. The drive for cost-effective, clean technology has resulted in a 'race to the top' for the PV research community. Innumerable headlines point to 'hero' devices that deliver 'miracle' discoveries; however, there are issues in giving these reports the 'benefit of the doubt'.
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