PAPER BATTERY

SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted By

VIVEK.A

(Reg. No:20024682)

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for theaward Of

DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Guided By

Mr. AMEERALI.C.P

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MAJLIS POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, PURAMANNUR 2021-2023

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 CERTIFICATE

Certified that the seminar report titled

‘PAPER BATTERY’ is a bonafide record of the work done by
VIVEK.A(Reg. No:20024682) under our supervision and guidance, and is
submitted in 2021-2023 academic year in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering under the
Department of Technical Education, Government of Kerala.

Guided by Head of Section

Mr. AMEERALI.C.P Mr. RAJIN.T.M

Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering

Internal Examiner External Examiner

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
If the words were considered as symbols of approval and token of
acknowledgement then let the words pay the heralding role of expressing my gratitude.
First and foremost I praise God Almighty for the grace he showered on me during my
studies as well as my day-to- day life.

Dreams never run to reality unless a lot of effort and hard work is put into it and
no efforts bear fruit in absence of support and guidance. It takes a lot of effort to work
your way through this.

I am extremely grateful to the seminar guide Mr. AMEERALI.C.P

and coordinator Mr. JYOTHIS MANU.U for their valuable suggestions for the
seminar. I also sincerely thank the Mechanical Engineering department faculties for
providing me with valuable help.

Last but not the least; I thank my family and friends for giving me help, strength
and courage for accomplishing the task.

VIVEK.A

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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.
Keywords: paper batteries, flexible, carbon nanotubes

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 Table of Contents

Chapter Page no
1. Introduction to batteries…………………………………6
1.1Terminologies……………………………………...7
1.2Principle of operation of cell……………….……..8
1.3Types of battery…………………………………....9
1.4Recent developments……………………………....10
1.5Life of battery……………………………………...10
1.6Hazards...…………………….…………………….11
2. Paper Battery………………………….………………….12
3. Carbon nanotubes……………………….…………….....13
4. Fabrication of paper battery…………….………….…...14
5. Working of paper battery………………….………..…...15
6. Advantages of paper battery……………………...……..16
7. Limitations of paper battery…………………..………....17
8. Applications of paper battery………………...………….18
9. Conclusion……………………………………..…………..19
References…………………………………………………..20

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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 3………………………………….....Carbon nanotubes

Figure 4………………………………….....Fabrication Process

Figure 5………………………………….....Working Process

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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

a. Dry cell
b. Wet cell

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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.

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 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

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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.

Fig. 1.3a Primary cell Fig. 1.3b Secondary cell

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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

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
Fig 1.5 Life cycle
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.

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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

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.

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 Fig 1.6 Electronic waste

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. 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.
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 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

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 capacitor’s quick burst of high energy

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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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 8.APPLICATION

▪ 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

▪ Girls/boys’ apparel

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 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.

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 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”

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