DIY Polyimide Supercaps (Laser induced Graphene)

YT Video; Source Paper; Another YT video specifically covering Laser Induced Graphene;

The idea is to make your own super caps using:

  • A cheap, off the shelf, 4-5 nm, laser that's arounf 5 watts
  • Kapton tap or Polyimide
  • A XY cam system that you can attach the laser to.
  • An electrolyte. He used sulfuric acid with a wicking material to hold it. Mentions scientists would normally use a gel type of electrolyte.
  • Something to enclose it in. He sandwiched it between microscope slides.

Apparently when a laser hits Polyimide it produces a type of graphene that is "foamy" giving it a large surface area, though lower conductance. When used to make interlocking fingers of a capacitor, it can hold a decent charge.