Origami paper-based fluidic batteries for portable electrophoretic devices

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Engineering

Background:

• Traditional batteries face limitations in portability and cost.
• Developing sustainable and low-cost power sources is crucial for portable electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel manufacturing method for paper-based fluidic batteries using origami principles.
• To demonstrate the potential of these batteries for powering electronic and biomedical devices.

Main Methods:

• Microfluidic channels were fabricated on filter paper using wax printing.
• Copper and aluminum sheets were used as electrodes, with copper sulfate and aluminum chloride as electrolytes.
• Cellophane paper served as a membrane, and planar sheets were folded into 3D structures.

Main Results:

• Folded paper batteries achieved open-circuit potentials from 0.82 V (single cell) to 5.0 V (eight cells).
• The batteries delivered a stable current of 500 μA, powering an LED for over 65 minutes.
• Multiple cells could be assembled into a portable power bank.

Conclusions:

• Origami-based paper fluidic batteries offer a scalable and cost-effective power solution.
• These batteries are suitable for various applications, including portable electronics and biomedical devices.
• The manufacturing approach is simple and adaptable for mass production.