Expanding Upon the Single-Use Paper Battery Prototype Using a Biodegradable Encasing With a Pull-Tab Activation Technique for Simplified Use

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Poulin et al. (2022) have developed a water-activated paper battery model which uses a paper substrate with conductive inks consisting of a zinc-based anode, graphite-based cathode, and carbon-based current collector, activating on contact with water (2022). Increases in electronic waste show it is crucial to transition to clean energy. As such, the paper battery is entirely biodegradable, with an infinite shelf life until contact with water. The research aimed to improve the model for practicality and ease of use. The original design depicts the paper substrate with the conductive inks applied, with an external water source for activation. The method of improvement was to develop a biodegradable casing with a pull-tab that would separate the paper substrate from an internal water source, allowing for simple activation. It was hypothesized that these improvements would result in a similarly efficient battery that is better developed for practical applications. Two paper batteries were constructed according to the methods described in the original study (Poulin et al., 2022), and the biodegradable casing was 3D printed using algae-based filament. Both batteries were tested for current potential (V), and a two-tailed, paired z-test was performed. It was determined that the improved battery had a significantly lower potential, with a 5.7% decrease compared to the original battery. Conductive inks were not stencil printed, leading to variability in output measurements based on contact position of the measurement nodes used for measurement. Results indicate that while effective, the improved model will have to be produced through additive manufacturing in order to maximize efficiency.

Location

BS 329

Start Date

3-25-2023 11:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:30 AM

Expanding Upon the Single-Use Paper Battery Prototype Using a Biodegradable Encasing With a Pull-Tab Activation Technique for Simplified Use

BS 329

Poulin et al. (2022) have developed a water-activated paper battery model which uses a paper substrate with conductive inks consisting of a zinc-based anode, graphite-based cathode, and carbon-based current collector, activating on contact with water (2022). Increases in electronic waste show it is crucial to transition to clean energy. As such, the paper battery is entirely biodegradable, with an infinite shelf life until contact with water. The research aimed to improve the model for practicality and ease of use. The original design depicts the paper substrate with the conductive inks applied, with an external water source for activation. The method of improvement was to develop a biodegradable casing with a pull-tab that would separate the paper substrate from an internal water source, allowing for simple activation. It was hypothesized that these improvements would result in a similarly efficient battery that is better developed for practical applications. Two paper batteries were constructed according to the methods described in the original study (Poulin et al., 2022), and the biodegradable casing was 3D printed using algae-based filament. Both batteries were tested for current potential (V), and a two-tailed, paired z-test was performed. It was determined that the improved battery had a significantly lower potential, with a 5.7% decrease compared to the original battery. Conductive inks were not stencil printed, leading to variability in output measurements based on contact position of the measurement nodes used for measurement. Results indicate that while effective, the improved model will have to be produced through additive manufacturing in order to maximize efficiency.