Paper Batteries: A Clean Alternative

Overview

Objectives/Goals When I set out to work on my science experiment, I was very interested in the idea that I could make a paper battery that was ultra thin, and that such a tiny piece of paper could produce voltage. As I continued my research, I knew this was an amazing idea because it was also good for the environment. These paper batteries are better for the environment than the modern batteries (example: AA battery). The modern batteries all use a chemical build-up to produce electricity. The paper batteries use no chemicals at all. This means that the paper batteries are recyclable and do not create e-waste. The A batteries all use a chemical build-up that (when taken apart incorrectly) lets out a greenhouse gas that is very bad for the environment. Methods/Materials The result was found by testing the amount of voltage that the battery produced and seeing which had more, my paper battery or the AA battery. My procedure was to first, build a paper battery. Second, test my hypothesis. My final step was to record data. After much research and many test runs, I was able to create a working papery battery. Results I was able to create a working papery battery. Unfortunately, it was not as powerful as the AA battery. Conclusions/Discussion My results were supported in my hypothesis. I hypothesized that the AA battery would have more voltage than the paper battery, unless carbon nanotube ink became available "over the counter." It is easy to see that future research and testing, using carbon nanotube ink will further benefit this category. Carbon nanotube ink would increase the voltage of the paper battery because graphite releases voltage slower than carbon nanotube, even though they are both great conductors. Carbon nanotube ink is made of conductive, multiwalled carbon (nano=1/1000000000 m, nanotube=4/1000000000 m) nanotubes. For my future research, I would like to test this same theory using the carbon nanotube ink.

Competition history

• CSEF 2018 Alternative Energy (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0213

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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