Singapore scientists from the Nanyang Technological University have successfully developed biodegradable batteries that can be buried in the soil after they’re no longer useful.
These paper-thin zinc batteries could one day become the eco-friendly and sustainable method of powering our smartphones and other electronic devices.
These batteries are made of electrodes that are screen-printed on both sides of a cellulose paper piece that’s strengthened with hydrogel. When the battery has been expended, the user can bury it in the soil where it will degrade entirely within a month.
The Experiments Were Successful, Says the Team
In an experiment for proof-of-concept, the NTU team showed how a 4cm by 4cm square of this battery could power a small electric fan for at least 45 minutes. The bending or the twisting of the battery didn’t cause an interruption in the supply of power.
Moreover, in another experiment, the 4 cm by 4 cm square battery was used to power a LED and they demonstrated that despite the cuts of the paper battery, the LED was still on. This indicates that cutting doesn’t reduce the battery’s functionality.
The team notes that their printable battery could be included in flexible electronics like foldable smartphones or biomedical sensors for monitoring health.
The co-lead author of the study, professor Fan Hongjin from the NTU School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, explains that traditional batteries come in different sizes and models, and finding the right one for a device can be a time-consuming process.
Their study shows that there’s a cheaper and simpler way to manufacture batteries and have one single piece that can be cut according to the desired shape and size without losing its efficiency.
According to the assistant professor and co-lead author of the study, Lee Seok Woo from the NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, this paper battery could be of aid in the management of electronic waste since it’s non-toxic and doesn’t require casings from plastics or aluminum.
Avoiding these packaging layers, Woo adds, helps the battery store more energy and power in a smaller system.
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