Scientists have developed an eco-friendly battery made of paper.
The battery is a product of a team at Binghamton University, in New York. The battery uses paper and engineered polymers, according to Sky News.
The abstract for “Green Biobatteries: Hybrid Paper–Polymer Microbial Fuel Cells” explains previous attempts at eco-friendly, paper-based microbial batteries like these performed poorly and weren’t truly biodegradable.
“There’s been a dramatic increase in electronic waste and this may be an excellent way to start reducing that,” said Associate Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, via Science Daily. “Our hybrid paper battery exhibited a much higher power-to-cost ratio than all previously reported paper-based microbial batteries.”
The abstract explains that these kinds of batteries are desired because of their “self‐sustainability, cost‐effectiveness, eco‐friendliness, and potential for energy accessibility in resource‐constrained settings.”
Choi developed the design of the battery while Professor Omowunmi Sadik from the Chemistry Department made it self-sustaining, according to Science Daily.
The team found that the battery biodegraded in water without the need for additional conditions, facilities, or microorganisms.
“Power enhancement can be potentially achieved by simply folding or stacking the hybrid, flexible paper-polymer devices,” Choi told Science Daily.
From NTD.tv
