A PROJECT REPORT ON

PAPER BATTERY AND USES

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

(Rajasthan Technical University, Kota)

ELECTRICALAND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

SESSION (2014-15)

GUIDED BY :
JITENDRA KASERA

SUBMITTED BY
Aditya Solanki
( EEE & VIIIth sem)

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, UDAIPUR

Table of Contents
Chapter

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Page no

CERTIFICATE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ABSTRACT
Introduction to batteries5
1.1 Terminologies...6
1.2 Principle of operation of cell...7
1.3 Types of battery....8
1.4 Recent developments....9
1.5 Life of battery...9
1.6 Hazards.....10
Paper Battery..11
Carbon nanotubes......12
Fabrication of paper battery.....13
Working of paper battery......14
Advantages of paper battery.....15
Limitations of paper battery......16
Applications of paper battery....16
Conclusion....17
References..17

List of Figures
Figures

Description

Figure 1aSymbolic View of the Battery

2

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 3.....Carbon nanotubes
Figure 4.....Fabrication Process
Figure 5.....Working Process

CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the work which is being presented in the B. Tech Project
Report entitled Topic in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the
Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and submitted to
the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Pacific College of
Engineering, Udaipur is an authentic work carried out during a period from Jan.
2015 to May 2014 under the supervision of Mr.Jitendra Kasera.
3

The matter presented in this report has not been submitted by me for the award of
any other degree elsewhere.
Signature of candidate
________________
_________________

This is to certify that the above statement made by the candidate is correct to the
best of my knowledge.

________________

_________________

(Head of dept)

(Guide Name)

(EEE)
Pacific College of Engineering, Udaipur

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This is opportunity to express my heartfelt words for the people who were part
of this Project in numerous ways, people who gave me unending support right from
beginning of the Project.
We express our earnest gratitude to our internal guide Mr. JITENDRA KASERA,
Department of EEE, our project guide, for his constant support, encouragement and
guidance. We are grateful for his cooperation and his valuable suggestions.
Finally, we express our gratitude to all other members who are involved either
directly or indirectly for the completion of this project.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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.
Keywords: paper batteries, flexible, carbon nanotubes

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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
a. Dry cell
b. Wet cell

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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 watthours 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.

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 amphours (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

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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
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
Department of Electrical and Electronics

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
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.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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, 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

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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 2030C. [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 ,

Fig 1.5 Life cycle

although some batteries can be damaged by freezing. High or low temperatures may
reduce battery performance. This will 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 nickelbased 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

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.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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

Department of Electrical and Electronics

2. PAPER BATTERY
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. Its
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, mostly
electric vehicles. Further, the medical uses are particularly attractive because they do not
contain any toxic materials.

Fig.2 paper battery

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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.
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 capacitors 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

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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.

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.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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

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.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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.
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.

Department of Electrical and Electronics

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

Pace makers in heart (uses blood as electrolyte)

Used as alternate to conventional batteries in gadgets

Powered smart cards RF id tags

Smart toys, children sound books

E-cards, greetings, talking posters

Department of Electrical and Electronics

Girls/boys apparel

9. CONCLUSION
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

Department of Electrical and Electronics