TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The solvent annealing is performed for 5 or less minutes. The thermal annealing is performed at 135 degrees C or less. The step of synthesizing soluble or dispersible carbon nanotubes comprises a microwave reaction in the presence of a chemical or combination of chemicals comprising carboxylated, sulfonated, nitro, amino, or ester chemical groups, preferably sulfuric and nitric acid. The step of preparing the complex of C60 and CNTs comprises preparing a bulk solution of C60 in toluene, and combining the bulk solution of C60 and a solution of CNTs. The photoactive layer is formed on a flexible substrate. The QDs are dispersed in the photoactive polymer. The absorption spectra of the QDs and the photoactive polymer are complementary. The step of solvent vapor annealing is carried out before the step of thermal annealing. The parameters of solvent vapor annealing and thermal annealing enhance the power conversion efficiency of the device. The C60-CNT complex and the polymer form a composite, where the steps of solvent vapor annealing and thermal annealing enhance phase separation at a polymer C60 interface and ordering of the composite. The CNTs are aligned in an electrical field. The step of combining the bulk solution of C60 and a solution of CNTs further comprises sonicating, and microwave irradiating the mixture. The method further comprises: dispersing QDs in the polymer; coating or decorating the CNTs with QDs; and aligning the CNTs in an electrical field. The photoactive polymer acts as an electron donor, the fullerene C60 acts as an electron acceptor, and the CNTs act as an electron transporter to the electrode. The photoactive polymer, the C60, CNTs and electrode are positioned in a photoactive layer. The C60 and CNTs form a weakly, covalently bonded complex or self assembled complex. The soluble or dispersible CNTs are synthesized by a microwave reaction. The fullerene C60 and the CNTs form a complex, where the complex and the photoactive polymer form a composite. The composite is structurally ordered in a controlled manner. The controlled manner comprises solvent vapor annealing, thermal annealing or both.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The device further comprises: a planarizing layer of poly(ethylenedioxy) thiophene:poly(styrene) sulfonate; at least one dye or titanium dioxide at a level effective to enhance absorption, power conversion efficiency or both; quantum dots (QDs) dispersed in the polymer; and the QDs coated or decorated on the CNTs. The device comprises a solar cell. The device is characterized by an overall stiffness that is determined by the stiffness of the flexible substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The solvent annealing is undertaken with a solvent comprising toluene, an alkene, an alkane, a hexane, an alcohol, a chlorinated solvent or an organic solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The photoactive polymer is poly(3-hexylthiophene), a liquid crystal polymer and/or a semiconducting polymer.