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Researchers from Milan’s Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have managed to create a rechargeable battery that is made from non-toxic and edible materials.
Aside from reducing e-waste, these batteries will be much safer for everyone’s health. Kids swallowing batteries will now just require a serving of side salad instead of a frantic rush to the ER.
Besides being a kiddie’s meal, these batteries will make drug-delivery robots much safer for highly-targeted in-body treatment.
It goes without saying that conventional batteries are bad for our bodies and can damage human tissue inside the body either through their toxic materials or water electrolysis.
“Water electrolysis is a phenomenon where electricity with a voltage higher than 1.2V breaks water into oxygen and the [explosive gas] hydrogen, and it is very dangerous if it occurs in the stomach.”
The edible batteries are 0.65 V, so water electrolysis cannot occur. On top of that, all the components are made from natural, non-toxic materials, so it’s a balanced meal. Well, not really, but it won’t kill you.
The battery’s components consist of the followings ingredients:
- Cathode — Quercetin, a pigment found in almonds and capers
- Anode — Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Separator — Nori seaweed that is used in the wrapping of sushi rolls) as the separator
- Electrolyte — Aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4)
- Conductor — Activated charcoal is employed to achieve high electrical conductivity in the battery.
- Cover and laminate — Beeswax and pastry gold foil that laminates
- Supporting structure — Ethylcellulose
It’s still early stages for the team of researchers, and the batteries can only supply 48 microamperes of current for just over 10 minutes, so you won’t be chomping down on your old Xbox remote’s power supply just yet.
At this stage, the batteries only have enough charge to light an LED bulb or a micro medical device. As the researchers say, you won’t find them in your Tesla anytime soon, but there is a market for edible electronics or niche products.
See how clever the human race is when we’re not fighting on Twitter?
[source:mashable]
