Issue 15, 2024

Designed-by-purpose power sources: a cardboard primary battery for smart packaging

Abstract

Internet-of-Things (IoT) is considered one of the primary enablers of the next digital transformation wave. Generating and exchanging data between the increasing number of delocalized sensors comes with the need for high-performance portable power sources that also meet environmental and social responsibility standards. This article presents a portable power source to meet the energy requirements of IoT devices in the smart packaging sector that has been designed-by-purpose in an ecologically benign way since the early development stage. To minimize the environmental impact throughout its life cycle, the battery follows the value chain of paper and cardboard, from material sourcing to disposability. Naturally abundant materials, such as cellulose derivates and alginate biopolymers, are prioritized to create the separator and contain the redox species. Manufacturing techniques, easily implementable in the packaging industry, are used to fabricate an adhesive label-like battery (based on layered components) and engrave the current collectors, via laser-induced graphene. The prototype's energy adaptation capability is demonstrated by directly powering two applications particularly appealing for smart packaging, i.e., a printed electrochromic display and a wireless tracker device. Once depleted, the battery is compatible with paper and cardboard recycling standardized processes. The reconceptualization of the whole battery life cycle leads to the generation of a disruptive power source concept that aims to be an enabler of a sustainable digitalization of society.

Graphical abstract: Designed-by-purpose power sources: a cardboard primary battery for smart packaging

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Jan 2024
Accepted
11 Jun 2024
First published
08 Jul 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Energy Environ. Sci., 2024,17, 5639-5652

Designed-by-purpose power sources: a cardboard primary battery for smart packaging

M. Navarro-Segarra, O. A. Ibrahim, I. Martin-Fernandez, C. Tortosa, J. M. Ormaetxea, M. Baumann, M. Weil and J. P. Esquivel, Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, 17, 5639 DOI: 10.1039/D4EE00306C

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