Paper transistors and paper displays that scientists have been designing can now be powered by an onboard power source, thanks to the development of a new paper supercapacitor designed by researchers at Stanford University.

A paper supercapacitor is made by simply printing carbon nanotubes onto a treated piece of paper. It could lead to the development of low-cost, disposable paper electronics. All the necessary components are integrated onto a single sheet of paper in the form of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). High-speed printing could be used to print the SWNTs directly onto a piece of paper.