The document discusses the development of a paper battery that could provide an alternative energy storage solution. Key points: 1) Researchers experimented with using plain copier paper as a battery source and found that it could store electric charge using carbon nanotubes and lithium solutions integrated into the paper. 2) A paper battery minimizes the components of a conventional battery into a single paper structure the size and flexibility of paper. 3) Paper is a good medium for batteries because of its interconnected fibers that can hold carbon nanotubes and its ability to be folded into different shapes. This could lead to significantly lighter weight batteries compared to traditional batteries.

1. 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

2. Common types of disposable batteries include zinc-carbon batteries and alkaline batteries.
condary 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
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.

3. 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
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 nickel-
based batteries are partially discharged when purchased, and must be charged before first
use.

5. 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 Nano tubes tiny cylinders to
collect electric charge. The paper is dipped in lithium containing solution. The nano tubes 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 nano
tubes 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.