  Flexible transparent electrodes, encompassing the combination of optical
transparency and electrical conductivity, empower numerous optoelectronic
applications. While the main efforts nowadays concentrate on developing wire
meshes and conductive oxides, those technologies are still in a quest to find a
balance between price, performance, and versatility. Here we propose a new
platform, encompassing the advantages of nanophotonic design and roll-to-roll
large-scale lithography fabrication tools, granting an ultimate balance between
optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. The design is based on an array
of silica microspheres deposited on a patterned thin aluminum film attached to
a flexible polymer matrix. Microspheres are designed to squeeze 80% light
through nanoscale apertures with the aid of the photonic nanojet effect given
the light impinges the structure from the top. The photonic structure blocks
the transmission for the backpropagation direction thus granting the device
with the high 5-fold level of asymmetry. The patterned layer demonstrates a
remarkable 2.8 {\Omega}/sq sheet resistance comparable to that of a continuous
metal layer. The high conductivity is shown to be maintained after a repeatable
application of strain on the flexible electrode. The technical specifications
of the demonstrated transparent electrode establish it as a viable option for
integrating into advanced optoelectronic devices such as solar cells,
touchscreens, and organic light-emitting diodes to name a few. Its notable
capacity to optimize light transmittance while ensuring consistent electrical
performance, alongside its mechanical flexibility, makes the demonstrated
device an essential component for applications, where such attributes are
critically required.
