Bacteria-powered batteries on a sheet of paper
Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed a bacteria-powered battery on a single sheet of paper that can power disposable electronics. Published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies, their battery has been created through a manufacturing technique that reduces fabrication time and cost.
“Among many flexible and integrative paper-based batteries with a large upside, paper-based microbial fuel cell technology is arguably the most underdeveloped,” said Assistant Professor Seokheun ‘Sean’ Choi, director of Binghamton’s Bioelectronics and Microsystems Lab and co-author on the paper.
“We are excited about this because microorganisms can harvest electrical power from any type of biodegradable source, like wastewater, that is readily available. I believe this type of paper biobattery can be a future power source for papertronics.”
On one half of a piece of chromatography paper, Choi and study co-author Yang Gao placed a ribbon of silver nitrate underneath a thin layer of wax to create a cathode. The pair then made a reservoir out of a conductive polymer on the other half of the paper, which acted as the anode. Once properly folded and a few drops of bacteria-filled liquid are added, the microbes’ cellular respiration powers the battery.
Choi acknowledged that there are “potential issues such as misalignment of paper layers and vertical discontinuity between layers, which ultimately decrease power generation”. However, different folding and stacking methods were found to significantly improve power and current outputs, with the scientists able to generate 31.51 μW at 125.53 μA with six batteries in three parallel series and 44.85 μW at 105.89 μA in a 6x6 configuration.
The design could therefore revolutionise the use of biobatteries as a power source in remote, dangerous and resource-limited areas, where usability and portability are paramount. Plus, there is enough power to run biosensors that monitor glucose levels in diabetes patients, detect pathogens in a body or perform other life-saving functions.
“Papertronics have recently emerged as a simple and low-cost way to power disposable point-of-care diagnostic sensors,” said Choi.
“Standalone and self-sustained, paper-based, point-of-care devices are essential to providing effective and life-saving treatments in resource-limited settings.”
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