Accessible Remote Electronic Education: Affordable DIY Paper-based Tunable RC Oscillator Circuits

Paper-based electronics are gaining popularity for their affordability, abundant availability in household settings, biodegradability, recyclability, disposability, facile fabrication, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. This aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, promoting sustainable, responsible, and environmentally conscious production practices. Given the current economic and pandemic scenario, which restricts students' access to traditional physical labs, there is a pressing need to develop cost-effective, do-it-yourself (DIY), and eco-friendly sustainable electronic solutions for remote learning from home. This study introduces an economical and DIY approach wherein a graphite pencil drawn resistor and copper tape capacitor are integrated with a 74HC14 IC on paper to form an RC oscillator circuit. The 74HC14 IC, acting as a Schmitt trigger, exhibits oscillatory behavior when connected to the RC bridge. The frequency achieved from the RC oscillator was up to 250 kHz. Furthermore, the circuit's tunability is demonstrated by varying the resistance of the circuit either by increasing or decreasing the graphite flakes. Furthermore, these circuits can be reused and recycled again in performing the same or other electronic labs. The study showcases the feasibility and practicality of making circuits on paper in home-based settings, laying a foundation for incorporating basic electronics lab experiments on paper substrates, particularly required in the pandemic and economic context. This approach not only addresses the immediate need for remote learning solutions but also sets a transformative precedent for sustainable and accessible electronic education.