# Aluminum foil strips + tape (when you don't have copper tape) **URL:** \ **Category:** Paper Circuits ⚡️\ **Created:** [April 5, 2021, 11:44pm UTC](https://heyplix.mit.edu/t/aluminum-foil-strips-tape-when-you-dont-have-copper-tape/336 "2021-04-05T23:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![binka](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/heyplix.mit.edu/binka/32/163_2.png) [@binka](https://heyplix.mit.edu/u/binka)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 11:44pm UTC](https://heyplix.mit.edu/t/aluminum-foil-strips-tape-when-you-dont-have-copper-tape/336/1 "2021-04-05T23:44:30Z")
We’re trying to figure out ways for people to play with paper circuits who don’t want to invest in a roll of copper tape for their first project. You can make conductive tape out of household aluminum foil, sort of, using cellotape / scotch tape / invisible tape to secure the foil. First, cut two strips of aluminum foil ~1/3" (~8mm) wide. It’s very thin, so it can be hard to work with and tear easily! Put a tape loop down where you’ll put your coin cell. Fold a bit of one end of one foil strip around one leg of the LED, and then secure it with tape. Repeat with the other strip and the other leg: fold over leg, tape down. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/8cf94ae9896b03f44ed1979ff0f467e067d197a7.jpeg) Run the foil strip connected to the shorter LED leg to the tape loop. Lay it over it. Snip off any extra bits beyond the tape loop. Leave some of the stickiness of the tape loop available to adhere the [–] side of the coin cell snugly against the foil. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/31d2582a95ec9bd0e30bf3aad1867aefab51a35b.png) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/bffc4d52d9b7c46412de054a445d2b37aa8e805f.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/0b0f574e72429f15251ea404a05356d5b082eab8.png) Tape over the aluminum foil everywhere except the part that will make contact with the [+] side of the coin cell. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/f474b0f7d2bdd181ca178a700172dff9abd4dd55.jpeg) Fold over the corner to light up. Use a magnet on top of the paper keep the circuit tight if you’d like! ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/81aca32a1b667660048a63ea9bf2fde9ec6e6d4e.jpeg) Using the simple template for a very simple circuit, I have highlighted where the **tape loop** is in blue: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/84f533953691027ca091580c02d2a61170d73d61.jpeg) Where the **aluminum strips** run, in green ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/9b723e20ea8720ca45c8e12e65c5a2ce732b7b68.jpeg) And where the invisible tape is on top of the aluminum, in blue again (not _on_ the coin cell—that one is where the loop is _under_ the coin cell!): ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mit2/original/1X/468dbe30c5c59bd231b49ce4142e4b0d749739f9.jpeg) One may be able to do this all with glue sticks, too! I haven’t tried it, but why not? ---
**Author:** ![Logalog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Logalog](https://heyplix.mit.edu/u/Logalog)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 6:50pm UTC](https://heyplix.mit.edu/t/aluminum-foil-strips-tape-when-you-dont-have-copper-tape/336/2 "2021-04-27T18:50:25Z")
If I remember correctly you can use pencil graphite as a pretty good conductor. Just make thick filled in lines for you circuits. [Graphite Circuit | DIY for Beginners | KiwiCo](https://www.kiwico.com/diy/stem/electronics-robotics/graphite-circuit) ---
**Author:** ![katietopper](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/heyplix.mit.edu/katietopper/32/494_2.png) [@katietopper](https://heyplix.mit.edu/u/katietopper)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://heyplix.mit.edu/t/aluminum-foil-strips-tape-when-you-dont-have-copper-tape/336/3 "2021-05-27T13:28:56Z")
You can also find aluminum duct tape at Home Depot. One roll is super affordable vs. the copper rolls. ---
**Author:** ![ThomasM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@ThomasM](https://heyplix.mit.edu/u/ThomasM)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 1:26pm UTC](https://heyplix.mit.edu/t/aluminum-foil-strips-tape-when-you-dont-have-copper-tape/336/4 "2021-06-03T13:26:23Z")
> [@Logalog](#): > > If I remember correctly you can use pencil graphite as a pretty good conductor. Just make thick filled in lines for you circuits. [Graphite Circuit | DIY for Beginners | KiwiCo](https://www.kiwico.com/diy/stem/electronics-robotics/graphite-circuit) That is correct! Pencil graphite is an excellent conductive material for that type of circuit. Nothing beats regular pencils for precision, but if you need to cover a large surface or a large distance as fast as possible, I definitely recommend using [carpenter pencils](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carpenter+pencil&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)! I used these a lot while designing Makey Makey activities (this [Pencil Controller](https://www.instructables.com/Make-a-MakeyMakey-Pencil-Controller/) is a good example) and they are very reliable. The only thing these could be better is if they came in different colors!