Did you know that the coin cell/button cell batteries most widely used in light-up paper crafts and cards (CR2032 and CR2016) fit into a category of batteries that require unique consideration for proper disposal? Primary/Single-Use batteries cannot be recharged and must be disposed of once they wear out. Alkaline, lithium, silver oxide, zinc-air, zinc-carbon, and zinc-chloride, […]
6 Uses for Bare Circuit Sticker LEDs
In my post, 5 Ways to Reuse Circuit Stickers, I shared several ways to repurpose Circuit Sticker LEDs that had lost their adhesive mojo. In that post I explained how to detach a sticker, without damaging it, and how to remove and replace its conductive adhesive backing. In this post, I’ve assembled six ways that […]
5 Ways to Reuse Circuit Stickers
When I’m prototyping, I usually adhere Circuit Sticker LEDs with light pressure and verify that I’m happy with their placement before pressing them down more firmly. That way, they’re easier to lift and reposition. But, there are occasions when I make a mistake or decide that I want to repurpose the electrical components from project to project. […]
USB Powered Paper Circuits: An Alternative to Coin Batteries
Coin batteries are great for powering paper circuits, but they can be costly — both in terms of expense and environmental impact. USB power is a great substitute for coin batteries if you need more power, want to leave a project turned on, or don’t want to keep switching out batteries. It’s also useful for […]