Tunable and foldable paper-based passive electronic components and filter circuits

Abstract: Here we report broad range, tunable and foldable paper-based passive components and filter circuits. Reported electronics fabricated through solvent-free garage fabrication techniques using inexpensive and off-the-shelf materials like graphite pencils, aluminum foil, copper tape, paper, and such Previously reported paper-based passive electronic circuits are single-valued and lack real-time tunability. Broad range passive components and tunable RC filter circuits fabricated through inexpensive, eco-friendly, and cleanroom-free fabrication techniques like hand drawing of graphite pencils on paper and garage fabrication techniques like cutting-pasting of readily available materials demonstrated expected functionalities with tunable cut-off frequencies. Cut-off frequencies of low and high pass filters are tunned from 15 to 190 kHz by penciling graphite flakes of different graphite content pencils. The paper-based passive electronic circuits showed robust performance against applied stress during bending and folding. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been reported on tunable paper-based passive electronic circuits. These paper-based electronic components and circuits open pathways for green and foldable power electronics, flexible and foldable printed circuit boards and consumer electronics, touchpads, disposable security systems, soft robotics, and many more. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]