A groundbreaking development in the field of sustainable energy has emerged from the laboratories of Binghampton University in New York. A team of researchers, led by Professor Seokheun (Shean) Choi and Ph.D. student Maryam Rezaie, has engineered a tiny bio-battery that could potentially provide power for a century or more, offering a revolutionary solution for long-term energy needs.
Choi and Rezaie’s innovative “bio-battery” has the unique capability of being activated by human intestinal pH, allowing for new applications both within and outside the body. Published in the journal Small, their research highlights the remarkable potential of this indigestible bio-battery, which could generate around 100 microwatts per square centimeter of power density. With the right configuration, this bio-battery could provide continuous power for a century, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable energy technology. The team’s primary goal is to develop a microbial fuel cell that can be stored for extended periods without degradation of biocatalytic activity and can be quickly activated by absorbing moisture from the air. “We wanted to make these biobatteries for portable, storable, and on-demand power generation capabilities,” Choi emphasized. The bio-battery, about the size of a U.S. dime, is sealed with a strip of Kapton tape, designed to endure extreme temperatures ranging from -500 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon removing the tape and allowing moisture to enter, the bacteria within the bio-battery, combined with a chemical germinant, are stimulated to generate spores, producing enough power to run an LED, a digital thermometer, or a small clock. The researchers have made significant strides in improving the efficiency and speed of the bio-battery. By heating the bacterial spores, the time to reach full power was reduced from one hour to just twenty minutes, and increased electrical output was achieved as humidity levels rose. Even after a week of storage at ambient temperature, there was only a 2% decrease in power production, demonstrating the bio-battery’s resilience and reliability. Funded by the Office of Naval Research, this pioneering technology holds promise for various military applications, providing a reliable power source for use in hostile environments or on the battlefield. However, the potential civilian uses for such a fuel cell are equally vast.
While acknowledging the positive outcomes, Choi recognizes the need for the bio-battery to power up faster and provide higher voltage to become a viable alternative to conventional batteries. “I think this is a good start,” he remarked optimistically. “Hopefully, we can make a commercial product using these ideas.” The introduction of this bio-battery represents a significant step forward in sustainable energy solutions, offering the potential to address long-term power needs in both military and civilian settings. With further advancements, this technology could revolutionize the way we approach portable and long-lasting power generation.
Date: Apr 13, 2023
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/tiny-bio-battery-power-century
