Versatile 3-D stacking of 2-D paper-based biobatteries

Abstract

We demonstrated a novel fabrication technique of 3-D biobattery packs by folding or stacking 2-D paper-based biobatteries for their series and/or parallel connections. A stackable, high-performance bacteria-powered battery was developed by folding two functional components (i.e. a conductive hydrophilic reservoir as an anode and a solid electron acceptor as a cathode) integrated into a single sheet of chromatography paper. Upon adding one drop of bacteria-containing liquid on the device, bacterial respiration transferred electrons from the organic liquid to the electrode, providing power to an external load. The various battery folding and/or stacking strategies with different series and/or parallel combinations significantly improved the power and current outputs. This battery manufacturing technique on paper can improve performance, simplify fabrication and connection, and revolutionize mass-production of large-scale flexible paper batteries, enabling the development of new types of powered, paper-based electronics.