The substrate plays a critical yet often underappreciated role in determining the performance, stability and manufacturability of photovoltaic devices. While conventional glass and polymer films have enabled the rapid development of solar technologies, emerging applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics, wearable systems and large-area conformal devices demand the use of non-conventional substrates, including ceramics, metals, paper, textiles and elastomeric materials. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art of non-conventional substrates for photovoltaic technologies, with particular emphasis on the interplay between material properties, surface chemistry and deposition processes. These substrates introduce distinct mechanical, thermal and interfacial constraints that fundamentally alter thin-film growth, defect formation and device reliability. Key challenges such as porosity, roughness, thermal transport limitations and outgassing are discussed in relation to nucleation, film continuity and interfacial stability. The role of substrate-dependent effects in both chemical and physical deposition techniques is critically examined, highlighting cases where conventional processing approaches are insufficient. Representative device demonstrations are analyzed to illustrate how substrate selection influences performance and integration strategies across different photovoltaic platforms. Finally, common limitations and emerging opportunities are identified, emphasizing the need for the co-design of substrates, materials and processing routes. This work establishes a unified framework to guide the development of next-generation photovoltaic devices on unconventional substrates.

This study presents a fast and simple method for digital ceramic coloration using inkjet printing, eliminating the need for traditional precalcined pigments. This innovative approach represents a breakthrough in ceramic decoration technology, and introduces a previously unexplored methodology. In this work, CoAl₂O₄ spinel, a pigment commonly used in industrial contexts, is synthesized through laser zone melting (LZM) by applying pulsed laser radiation at 1064 nm. A standardized methodology to optimize pigment quality is developed, based on laser parameters such as pulse width, frequency, speed, power, and line spacing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to determine the optimal laser conditions for obtaining a continuous, defect‐free coating, showing that the embedded particles on the surface exhibit a nearly spherical morphology with diameters below 100 nm. The sample with the highest surface quality is further analyzed structurally and optically. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the presence of a pure spinel phase without secondary phases, along with a vitreous phase due to pigment embedding. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy reveal the characteristic vibrational bands of a normal spinel structure. The intense blue color is confirmed by strong absorption at 560 nm in ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, as well as b * and Δ b * values of 29 and 1.58, respectively, compared to the traditional pigment. This synthesis approach significantly enhances digital ceramic coloration compared to other methods evaluated in this study, offering a scalable, flexible, and more efficient alternative suitable for industrial‐scale production.

This study investigates SnO ₂ thin films doped with antimony (Sb), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), and tungsten (W) synthesized by spray pyrolysis using SnCl ₄ as the precursor. A range of dopant concentrations (1–4 at.%) was explored, with films deposited on both glass and thermally robust ceramic substrates, enabling thermal stability testing beyond typical glass limitations. The films' structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties were assessed using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, UV–vis spectroscopy, and four‐point probe measurements. Notably, the films exhibited sheet resistances between 10 and 93 Ω sq ⁻¹ at optimal dopant concentrations (2–3.5 at.%). The thermal stability was evaluated under oxidative and inert atmospheres up to 1000°C, surpassing the degradation thresholds of conventional FTO and ITO. Sb‐doped SnO ₂ maintained conductivity up to 900°C, outperforming commercial FTO. These results demonstrate the potential of doped SnO ₂ films for high‐temperature conductive applications and transparent thin‐films.