paper battery seminar report
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paper battery seminarTRANSCRIPT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Any achievement, be it scholastic or otherwise does not depend solely on the
individual efforts but on the guidance, encouragement and cooperation of
intellectuals, elders and friends. A number of personalities, in their own capacities
have helped me in carrying out this seminar work. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank them all.
I would like to express my hearty gratitude to Mr Rajkumar
Jain, Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication, P.E.S.C.E for
providing permission and facilities to conduct the seminar in a systematic way
I would like to express my hearty gratitude to Mr.Dilip Tiwari
Asst.Professor, seminar coordinator, Department of Electronics and
Communications, C.I.I.T.M. for her guidance, regular source of encouragement
and assistance throughout this seminar.
I express my sincere gratitude to Mr.Dilip Tiwari,
Asst.Professor, seminar guide, Department of Electronics and Communications,
P.E.S.C.E for inspiring and sincere guidance throughout the seminar.
I am thankful to all the faculty members in the Department of
Electronics and Communications, C.I.I.T.M. for their constant support.
I would like to thank my parents and friends for their moral support.
Thanks for being always there. Finally, I thank God, for his blessings.
Abhishek sanadaya
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ABSTRACT
The Batteries form a significant part of many electronic devices. Typical
electrochemical batteries or cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
Batteries based on the charging ability are classified into primary and secondary
cells. Secondary cells are widely used because of their rechargeable nature.
Presently, battery takes up a huge amount of space and contributes to a large
part of the device's weight. There is strong recent interest in ultrathin, flexible, safe
energy storage devices to meet the various design and power needs of modern
gadgets. New research suggests that carbon nanotubes may eventually provide the
best hope of implementing the flexible batteries which can shrink our gadgets even
more.
The paper batteries could meet the energy demands of the next generation
gadgets. A paper battery is a flexible, ultra-thin energy storage and production
device formed by combining carbon nanotubes with a conventional sheet of
cellulose-based paper. A paper battery acts as both a high-energy battery and super
capacitor, combining two components that are separate in traditional electronics.
This combination allows the battery to provide both long-term, steady power
production and bursts of energy. Non-toxic, flexible paper batteries have the
potential to power the next generation of electronics, medical devices and hybrid
vehicles, allowing for radical new designs and medical technologies.
The various types of batteries followed by the operation principle,
manufacturing and working of paper batteries are discussed in detail.
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Table of Contents
Chapter _______________ Page no
1. Introduction to batteries………………………………………..…………1
1.1 Terminologies……………………………………………………...2
1.2 Principle of operation of cell…………………………….…….…..4
1.3 Types of battery…………………………………………………....5
1.4 Recent developments……………………………………………....6
1.5 Life of battery…………………………………………….……......7
1.6 Hazards...…………………….………………………...…………..8
2. Paper Battery………………………….……………………...…………..9
3. Carbon nanotubes……………………….………………………………..12
3.1Properties of carbon nanotubes……………………………………14
4. Fabrication of paper battery…………….…………….…………………..15
5. Working of paper battery………………….………..………………….....18
6. Advantages of paper battery……………………...…………………..…..21
7. Limitations of paper battery…………………..…………………….........22
8. Applications of paper battery………………...…………………….…….22
9. Conclusion……………………………………………………….…..…..24
References………………………………………………………..…..…..25
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List of Figures
Figures Description
Figure 1a……………………………………Symbolic View of the Battery
Figure 1b…………………………………...Conventional Battery
Figure 1.2…………………………………..Principle Operation of Battery
Figure 1.3a………………………………....Primary cell
Figure 1.3b………………………………....Secondary cell
Figure 1.4………………………………..…USB cell
Figure 1.5………………………………..…Life of Battery
Figure 1.6………………………………..…Electronic Waste
Figure 2………………………………….....Paper Battery
Figure 2.1………………………………….Types of CNTs
Figure 3………………………………….....Carbon nanotubes
Figure 3.1…………………………………..Relation b/w resistence vs. width
Figure 3.2…………………………………..Relation b/w resistivity vs. temp.
Figure 4………………………………….....Fabrication Process
Figure 4.1………………………………......Paper Battery
Figure 4.2…………………………………..Sechemetic of fabrication process
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Figure 5………………………………….....working of paper battery
Figure 5.1………………………………….Testing of paper battry
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1. INTRODUCTION TO BATTERIES
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored
chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in
1800 by Alessandro Volta, batteries have become a common power source for
many household and industrial applications.
Batteries are represented symbolically as
Fig. 1a Symbolic view Fig. 1b conventional
battery
Electrons flow from the negative terminal towards the positive terminal.
Based on the rechargeable nature batteries are classified as
a. Non rechargeable or primary cells
b. Rechargeable or secondary cells
Based on the size they are classified as
a. Miniature batteries
b. Industrial batteries
Based on nature of electrolyte
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a. Dry cell
b. Wet cell
1.1 Terminologies
1.1.1 Accumulator - A rechargeable battery or cell
1.1.2 Ampere-Hour Capacity - The number of ampere-hours which can be
delivered by a battery on a single discharge.
1.1.3 Anode - During discharge, the negative electrode of the cell is the
anode. During charge, that reverses and the positive electrode of the cell is
the anode. The anode gives up electrons to the load circuit and dissolves into
the electrolyte.
1.1.4 Battery Capacity - The electric output of a cell or battery on a service
test delivered before the cell reaches a specified final electrical condition and
may be expressed in ampere-hours, watt- hours, or similar units. The
capacity in watt-hours is equal to the capacity in ampere-hours multiplied by
the battery voltage.
1.1.5 Cutoff Voltage final - The prescribed lower-limit voltage at which
battery discharge is considered complete. The cutoff or final voltage is
usually chosen so that the maximum useful capacity of the battery is
realized.
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1.1.6 C - Used to signify a charge or discharge rate equal to the capacity of
a battery divided by 1 hour. Thus C for a 1600 mAh battery would be 1.6 A,
C/5 for the same battery would be 320 mA and C/10 would be 160 mA.
1.1.7 Capacity - The capacity of a battery is a measure of the amount of
energy that it can deliver in a single discharge. Battery capacity is normally
listed as amp-hours (or milli amp-hours) or as watt-hours.
1.1.8 Cathode - Is an electrode that, in effect, oxidizes the anode or absorbs
the electrons. During discharge, the positive electrode of a voltaic cell is the
cathode. When charging, that reverses and the negative electrode of the cell
is the cathode.
1.1.9 Cycle - One sequence of charge and discharge.
1.1.10 Cycle Life - For rechargeable batteries, the total number of
charge/discharge cycles the cell can sustain before its capacity is
significantly reduced. End of life is usually considered to be reached when
the cell or battery delivers only 80% of rated ampere- hour capacity.
1.1.11 Electrochemical Couple - The system of active materials within a cell
that provides electrical energy storage through an electrochemical reaction.
1.1.12 Electrode - An electrical conductor through which an electric current
enters or leaves a conducting medium
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1.1.13 Electrolyte - A chemical compound which, when fused or dissolved in
certain solvents, usually water, will conduct an electric current.
1.1.14 Internal Resistance - The resistance to the flow of an electric current
within the cell or battery.
1.1.15 Open-Circuit Voltage - The difference in potential between the
terminals of a cell when the circuit is open (i.e., a no-load condition).
1.1.16 Voltage, cutoff - Voltage at the end of useful discharge. (See Voltage,
end-point.)
1.1.17 Voltage, end-point - Cell voltage below which the connected
equipment will not operate or below which operation is not recommended.
1.2 Principal of Operation of cell
A battery is a device that converts chemical energy directly to electrical
energy. It consists of a number of voltaic cells. Each voltaic cell consists of two
half cells connected in series by a conductive electrolyte containing anions and
cations. One half-cell includes electrolyte and the electrode to which anions
(negatively charged ions) migrate, i.e., the anode or negative electrode. The other
half-cell includes electrolyte and the electrode to which cations (positively charged
ions) migrate, i.e., the cathode or positive electrode. In the redox reaction that
powers the battery, cations are reduced (electrons are added) at the cathode, while
anions are oxidized (electrons are removed) at the anode. The electrodes do not
touch each other but are electrically connected by the electrolyte. Some cells use
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two half-cells with different electrolytes. A separator between half cells allows
ions to flow, but prevents mixing of the electrolytes.
Fig. 1.2 principle operation
Each half cell has an electromotive force (or emf), determined by its ability
to drive electric current from the interior to the exterior of the cell. The voltage
developed across a cell's terminals depends on the energy release of the chemical
reactions of its electrodes and electrolyte. Alkaline and carbon-zinc cells have
different chemistries but approximately the same emf of 1.5 volts. Likewise NiCd
and NiMH cells have different chemistries, but approximately the same emf of 1.2
volts. On the other hand the high electrochemical potential changes in the reactions
of lithium compounds give lithium cells emf of 3 volts or more.
1.3 Types of batteries
Batteries are classified into two broad categories. Primary batteries
irreversibly (within limits of practicality) transform chemical energy to electrical
energy. When the initial supply of reactants is exhausted, energy cannot be readily
restored to the battery by electrical means. Secondary batteries can be recharged.
That is, they can have their chemical reactions reversed by supplying electrical
energy to the cell, restoring their original composition.
Primary batteries: This can produce current immediately on assembly.
Disposable batteries are intended to be used once and discarded. These are most
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commonly used in portable devices that have low current drain, are only used
intermittently, or are used well away from an alternative power source, such as in
alarm and communication circuits where other electric power is only intermittently
available. Disposable primary cells cannot be reliably recharged, since the
chemical reactions are not easily reversible and active materials may not return to
their original forms. Battery manufacturers recommend against attempting
recharging primary cells. Common types of disposable batteries include zinc-
carbon batteries and alkaline batteries.
Secondary batteries: These batteries must be charged before use. They are
usually assembled with active materials in the discharged state. Rechargeable
batteries or secondary cells can be recharged by applying electric current, which
reverses the chemical reactions that occur during its use. Devices to supply the
appropriate current are called chargers or rechargers.
Fig. 1.3a Primary cell Fig. 1.3b Secondary cell
1.4 Recent developments
Recent developments include batteries with embedded functionality such as
USBCELL, with a built-in charger and USB connector within the AA format,
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enabling the battery to be charged by plugging into a USB port without a charger
USB Cell is the brand of NiMH rechargeable battery produced by a company
called Moixa Energy. The batteries include a USB connector to allow recharging
using a powered USB port. The product range currently available is limited to a
1300 mAh.
Fig. 1.4 USB cell
1.5 Life of battery
Even if never taken out of the original package, disposable (or "primary")
batteries can lose 8 to 20 percent of their original charge every year at a
temperature of about 20°–30°C. [54] This is known as the "self-discharge" rate and
is due to non-current-producing "side" chemical reactions, which occur within the
cell even if no load is applied to it. The rate of the side reactions is reduced if the
batteries are stored at low temperature, although some batteries can be damaged by
freezing. High or low temperatures may reduce battery performance. This will
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affect the initial voltage of the battery. For an AA alkaline battery this initial
voltage is approximately normally distributed around 1.6 volts.
Rechargeable batteries self-discharge more rapidly than disposable alkaline
batteries, especially nickel-based batteries a freshly charged NiCd loses 10% of its
charge in the first 24 hours, and thereafter discharges at a rate of about 10% a
month. Most nickel-
based batteries are partially discharged when purchased, and must be charged
before first use.
1.6 Hazards related to batteries
1.6.1 Explosion
A battery explosion is caused by the misuse or malfunction of a battery, such as
attempting to recharge a primary (non-rechargeable) battery, or short circuiting a
battery.
1.6.2 Corrosion
Many battery chemicals are corrosive, poisonous, or both. If leakage occurs, either
spontaneously or through accident, the chemicals released may be dangerous
Fig 1.5 Life cycle
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1.6.3 Environmental pollution
The widespread use of batteries has created many environmental concerns, such as
toxic metal pollution. Battery manufacture consumes resources and often involves
hazardous chemicals. Used batteries also contribute to electronic waste.
Americans purchase nearly three billion batteries annually, and about 179,000 tons
of those end up in landfills across the country.
1.6.4 Ingestion
Small button/disk batteries can be swallowed by young children. While in the
digestive tract the battery's electrical discharge can burn the tissues and can be
serious enough to lead to death.
Fig 1.6 Electronic waste
2. PAPER BATTERY
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Energy has always been spotlighted. In the past few years a lot of inventions
have been made in this particular field. The tiny nuclear batteries that can provide
energy for 10 years, but they use radioactive elements and are quite expensive.
Few years back some researchers from Stanford University started experiments
concerning the ways in which a copier paper could be used as a battery source.
After a long way of struggle they, recently, concluded that the idea was right. The
batteries made from a plain copier paper could make for the future energy storage
that is truly thin.
The anatomy of paper battery is based on the use of Carbon Nanotubes tiny
cylinders to collect electric charge. The paper is dipped in lithium containing
solution. The nanotubes will act as electrodes allowing storage device to conduct
electricity. It’s astounding to know that all the components of a conventional
battery are integrated in a single paper structure; hence the complete mechanism
for a battery is minimized to a size of paper.
One of the many reasons behind choosing the paper as a medium for battery
is the well-designed structure of millions of interconnected fibers in it. These fibers
can hold on carbon nanotubes easily. Also a paper has the capability to bent or
curl.
You can fold it in different shapes and forms plus it as light as feather. Output
voltage is modest but it could be increased if we use a stack of papers. Hence the
voltage issues can be easily controlled without difficulty. Usage of paper as a
battery will ultimately lead to weight diminution of batteries many times as
compared to traditional batteries.
It is said that the paper battery also has the capability of releasing the energy
quickly. That makes it best utilization for devices that needs burst of energy,
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mostly electric vehicles. Further, the medical uses are particularly attractive
because they do not contain any toxic materials.
Fig.2 Papper Battry
A paper battery is a flexible, ultra-thin energy storage and production device
formed by combining carbon nanotubes with a conventional sheet ofcellulosebased
paper. A paper battery acts as both a highenergy battery and super capacitor,
combining two discrete components that are separate in traditional electronics.
Paper Battery= Paper (Cellulose) + Carbon Nanotubes
Cellulose is a complex organic substance found in paper and pulp; not digestible
by humans. A Carbon NanoTubes (CNT) is a very tiny cylinder formed from a
single sheet of carbon atoms rolled into a tiny cylinder. These are stronger than
steel and more conducting than the best semiconductors. They can be Single-
walled or Multi-walled.
Mayer-rod-coated on the paper substrate with an effective thickness of 10 _m. The
wet PVDF functions as a glue to stick the double layer films on paper. The
concentration of PVDF in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was 10% by weight the
double layer films were laminated on the paper while the PVDF/ NMP was still
wet. During this process, a metal rod rolls over the films to remove air bubbles
trapped between films and the paper separator. After laminating LTO/CNT on one
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side of the paper, the same process was used to put LCO/CNT on the opposite side
of the paper to complete the Li-ion battery fabrication. Figure 1d,e shows the
scheme and a final device of the Li-ion paper battery prior to
encapsulation and cell testing. Althougha paper-like membrane has been used as
the separator for other energy storage systems including supercapacitors, it is the
first demonstration of the use of commercial paper in Li-ion batteries, 12 where
paper is used as both separator and mechanical support.
Fig2.1 Types of CNTs
3. CARBON NANOTUBES
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical
nanostructure. Nanotubes have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of
up to 132,000,000:1, significantly larger than any other material. These cylindrical
carbon molecules have novel properties, making them potentially useful in many
applications in nanotechnology, electronics, optics, and other fields of materials
science, as well as potential uses in architectural fields.
They may also have applications in the construction of body armor. They
exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient
thermal conductors.
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Their name is derived from their size, since the diameter of a nanotube is on
the order of a few nanometers (approximately 1/50,000th of the width of a human
hair), while they can be up to 18 centimeters in length (as of 2010). Nanotubes are
categorized as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled nanotubes
(MWNTs).
In theory, metallic nanotubes can carry an electric current density of 4 × 109
A/cm2 which is more than 1,000 times greater than metals such as copper, where
for copper interconnects current densities are limited by electro migration.
In paper batteries the nanotubes act as electrodes, allowing the storage
devices to conduct electricity. The battery, which functions as both a lithium-ion
battery and a super capacitor, can provide a long, steady power output comparable
to a conventional battery, as well as a super capacitor’s quick burst of high energy
and while a conventional battery contains a number of separate components, the
paper battery integrates all of the battery components in a single structure, making
it more energy efficient.
Carbon nanotubes have been implemented in Nano electromechnical
systems, including mechanical memory elements(NRAM being developed by
Nantero Inc.)
Fig 3. Carbon nanotubes
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3.1 Properties of Carbon Nanotubes:
• Ratio of Width: Length: 1:107
• High tensile Strength (Greater than Steel).
• Low Mass density & High Packing Density.
• Very Light and Very Flexible.
• Very Good Electrical Conductivity (better than Silicon).
• Low resistance (~33 ohm per sq. inch).
• Output Open Circuit Voltage(O.C.V): 1.5-2.5 V (For a postage stamp sized)
• The O.C.V. of Paper Batteries is directly proportional to CNT concentration.
• Stacking the Paper and CNT layers multiplies the Output Voltage; Slicing the
Paper and CNT layers divides the Output Voltage.
• Thickness: typically about 0.5-0.7mm.
• Nominal continuous current density: 0.1 mA/cm2/ active area.
• Nominal capacity: 2.5 to 5 mAh/cm2/ active area.
• Shelf life (RT): 3 years.
• Temperature operating range: -75°C to +150°C.
• No heavy metals (does not contain Hg, Pb, Cd, etc.)
• No safety events or over-heating in case of battery abuse or mechanical damage
• No safety limitations for shipment, packaging storage and disposal.
Fig3.1 Variation of Resistance with Width of CNT
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Fig3.2. Variation of Resistivity with Temperature
4. FABRICATION OF PAPER BATTERY
The materials required for the preparation of paper battery are
a. Copier paper
b. Carbon nano ink
c. Oven
The steps involved in the preparation of the paper battery are as follows
Step 1: The copier paper is taken.
Step 2: carbon Nano ink which is black in color is taken. Carbon nano ink is a
solution of nano rods, surface adhesive agent and ionic salt solutions. Carbon nano
ink is spread on one side of the paper.
Step 3: the paper is kept inside the oven at 150C temperature. This evaporates the
water content on the paper. The paper and the nano rods get attached to each other.
Step 4: place the multi meter on the sides of the paper and we can see voltage drop
is generated.
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Fig 4. Fabrication process
After drying the paper becomes flexible, light weight in nature. The paper is
scratched and rolled to protect the nano rods on paper.
Fig4.1 Paper Battry
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Figure 4.2. (a) Schematic of fabrication process for free-standing LCO/CNT or LTO/CNT
double layer thin films. The CNT film is doctor-bladed onto the SS substrate and dried. An
LTO or LTO slurry is then doctor-blade-coated on top of CNT film and dried. The whole
substrate is immersed into DI water, and the double layer of LTO/CNT or LCO/ CNT can
be easily peeled off due to the poor adhesion of CNTs to the SS substrate.
(b) (Left) 5 in. _ 5 in. LTO/CNT double layer film coated on SS substrate; (middle) the
double layer film can be easily separated from the SS substrate in DI water; (right) the final
free-standing film after drying.
(c) Schematic of the lamination process: the freestanding film is laminated on paper with a
rod and a thin layer of wet PVDF on paper.
(d) Schematic of the final paper Li-ion battery device structure, with both LCO/CNT and
LTO/CNT laminated on both sides of the paper substrate. The paper is used as both the
separator and the substrate.
(e) Picture of the Li-ion paper battery before encapsulation for measurement.
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5. WORKING OF PAPER BATTERY
The battery produces electricity in the same way as the conventional lithium-
ion batteries that power so many of today's gadgets, but all the components have
been incorporated into a lightweight, flexible sheet of paper.
The devices are formed by combining cellulose with an infusion of aligned
carbon nanotubes. The carbon is what gives the batteries their black color.
These tiny filaments act like the electrodes found in a traditional battery,
conducting electricity when the paper comes into contact with an ionic liquid
solution.
Ionic liquids contain no water, which means that there is nothing to freeze or
evaporate in extreme environmental conditions. As a result, paper batteries can
function between -75 and 1500C.
The paper is made conducting material by dipping in ink. The paper works
as a conductive layer. Two sheets of paper kept facing inward act like parallel
plates (high energy electrodes). It can store energy like a super capacitor and it can
discharge bursts of energy because of large surface area of nano tubes.
Fig.5 working of a paper battery
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Chlorine ions flow from the positive electrode to the negative one, while
electrons travel through the external circuit, providing current. The paper electrode
stores charge while recharging in tens of seconds because ions flow through the
thin electrode quickly. In contrast, lithium batteries take 20 minutes to recharge.
The sheets can be rolled, twisted, folded, or cut into numerous shapes with no loss
of integrity or efficiency, or stacked like printer paper to boost total output.
The components are molecularly attached to each other: the carbon nanotube print
is embedded in the paper, and the electrolyte is soaked into the paper batteries
produce electrons through a chemical reaction between electrolyte and metal in the
traditional battery. Chemical reaction in the paper battery is between electrolyte
and carbon nanotubes.
Electrons collect on the negative terminal of the battery and flow along a
connected wire to the positive terminal Electrons must flow from the negative to
the positive terminal for the chemical reaction to continue.
Fig5.1 Paper battry
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Figure 5.2 (a) Lighting a red LED with a Li-ion paper battery which is encapsulated with
_10 _m PDMS.
(b) Flexible Li-ion paper batteries light an LED device.
(c) Galvanostatic charging/discharging curves of a laminated LTO_LCO paper batteries, a
structure as in Figure 1d.
(d) Self-discharge behavior of a full cell after being charged to 2.6 V. The initial drop is due
to the IR drop after turning off the charging current. Inset: cycling performance of
LTO_LCO full cells.
(e) Comparison of our paper Li-ion battery with a polymer paper battery. The green arrow
indicates the target of the paper battery.
(f) Schematic for stacked cells separated by 10 _m plastic paper. An individual cell is made
with laminated LTO/CNT and LCO/CNT on either side of a piece of Xerox paper. A small
piece of Cu is connected on the LTO/CNT side and Al on the LCO/CNT side.
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6. ADVANTAGES
The flexible shape allows the paper battery to be used small or irregularly-
shaped electronics:
One of the unique features of the paper battery is that it can be bent to any such
shape or design that the user might have in mind. The battery can easily squeeze
into tight crevasses and can be cut multiple times without ruining the battery's life.
For example if a battery is cut in half, each piece will function, however, each
piece will only contain 1/2 the amount of original power. Conversely, placing two
sheets of paper battery on top of one-another will double the power.
The paper battery may replace conventional batteries completely:
By layering sheets of this paper, the battery's voltage and current can be
increased that many times. Since the main components of the paper battery are
carbon nanotubes and cellulose, the body structure of the battery is very thin,
"paper-thin". Thus to maximize even more power, the sheets of battery paper can
be stacked on top of one another to give off tremendous power. This can allow the
battery to have a much higher amount of power for the same size of storage as a
current battery and also be environmentally friendly at the same time.
Supply power to an implanted pacemaker in the human body by using the
electrolytes in human blood:
An improvement in the techniques used in the health field can be aided by the
paper battery. Experiments have taken place showing that batteries can be
energized by the electrolyte emitted from one's own blood or body sweat. This can
conserve the usage of battery acid and rely on an environmental friendly
mechanism of fueling battery cells with the help from our bodies.
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The paper battery can be molded to take the shape of large objects, like a car
door:
As stated earlier, the key characteristics that make the paper battery very appealing
are that it can be transformed into any shape or size, it can be cut multiple times
without damaging it, and it can be fueled through various ways besides the typical
harmful battery acid that is used in the current day battery.
7. LIMITATIONS
• Presently, the devices are only a few inches across and they have to be
scaled up to sheets of newspaper size to make it commercially viable.
• Carbon nanotubes are very expensive, and batteries with large enough power
are unlikely to be cost effective.
• Cutting of trees leading to destroying of the nature.
8. APPLICATIONS
The paper-like quality of the battery combined with the structure of the nanotubes
embedded within gives them their light weight and low cost, making them
attractive for portable electronics, aircraft, automobiles, and toys (such as model
aircraft), while their ability to use electrolytes in blood make them potentially
useful for medical devices such as pacemakers. The medical uses are particularly
attractive because they do not contain any toxic materials and can
be biodegradable; a major drawback of chemical cells.
However, Professor
Sperling cautions that commercial applications may be a long way away, because
nanotubes are still relatively expensive to fabricate. Currently they are making
devices a few inches in size. In order to be commercially viable, they would like to
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be able to make them newspaper size; a size which, taken all together, would be
powerful enough to power a car.
With the developing technologies and reducing cost of CNTs, the paper batteries
will find applications in the following fields:
1. In Electronics:
• in laptop batteries, mobile phones, handheld digital cameras: The weight of these
devices can be significantly reduced by replacing the alkaline batteries with light-
weight Paper Batteries, without compromising with the power requirement.
Moreover, the electrical hazards related to recharging will be greatlyreduced.
• in calculators, wrist watch and other low drain devices.
• in wireless communication devices like speakers, mouse, keyboard ,Bluetooth
headsets etc.
• in Enhanced Printed Circuit Board(PCB) wherein both the sides of the PCB can
be used: one for the circuit and the other side (containing the components )would
contain a layer of customized Paper Battery. This would eliminate heavy step-
down transformers and the need of separate power supply unit for most electronic
circuits.
2. In Medical Sciences:
• in Pacemakers for the heart
• in Artificial tissues (using Carbon nanotubes)
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• in Cosmetics, Drug-delivery systems
• in Biosensors, such as Glucose meters, Sugar meters, etc.
3. In Automobiles and Aircrafts:
• in Hybrid Car batteries
• in Long Air Flights reducing Refueling
• for Light weight guided missiles
• for powering electronic devices in Satellite programs
9. CONCLUSION
One of the major problems bugging the world now is Energy
crisis. Every nation needs energy and everyone needs power. And this problem
which disturbs the developed countries perturbs the developing countries like India
to a much greater extent. Standing at a point in the present where there can’t be a
day without power, Paper Batteries can provide an altogether path-breaking
solution to the same. Being Biodegradable, Light-weight and Nontoxic, flexible
paper batteries have potential adaptability to power the next generation of
electronics, medical devices and hybrid vehicles, allowing for radical new designs
and medical technologies. But India still has got a long way to go if it has to be
self-dependant for its energy solution. Literature reflects that Indian researchers
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have got the scientific astuteness needed for such revolutionary work. But what
hinders their path is the lack of facilities and funding. Of course, the horizon of
inquisitiveness is indefinitely vast and this paper is just a single step towards this
direction
.
We have discussed the various terminologies, principle of operation of a
battery and recent developments related to it. The life of a battery is an important
parameter which decides the area of application of the battery. Increased use of
batteries gives rise to E-waste which poses great damage to our environment.
In the year 2007 paper battery was manufactured. The technology is capable
of replacing old bulky batteries. The paper batteries can further reduce the weight
of the electronic gadgets.
The adaptations to the paper battery technique in the future could allow for
simply painting the nanotube ink and active materials onto surfaces such as walls.
These surfaces can produce energy.
REFERENCES
Thin, Flexible Secondary Li-Ion Paper Batteries Liangbing Hu, Hui Wu,
Fabio La Mantia, Yuan Yang, and Yi Cui
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University,
Stanford, California 94305.
David Linden “Handbook of batteries”