• : I'mnovation
    Imnovation
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
    • Energy
    • Construction
    • Water
    • dt Created with Sketch. Digital Transformation
    • st Created with Sketch. Science & Technology
    • Society
    • SUSCRÍBETE A NUESTRA RSS
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
  • Home
  • Energy
  • New biobatteries power weeks
Previous Next
  • A New Breed of Biobatteries Will Generate Power for Weeks

    Three types of bacteria interacting with each other form the basis of this new biobattery that could power future IoT devices.

Imagine if, instead of using cadmium or lithium, a few drops of dirty water were enough to power a battery. Such is the approach of researchers at Binghamton University in New York. And more than the drop of water, it is its tiny inhabitants: bacteria. The inventors of the new bacterial biobattery are strong advocates of this new form of green energy that could power all kinds of sensors and small devices. They have been researching this field for years, and the latest version of their technology is the most efficient to date.

In this article, you will read about the following:

  • What are biobatteries?
  • One biobattery, three types of bacteria
  • Origami biobatteries

What are biobatteries?

A biobattery is a device that allows energy to be stored and released through metabolic processes carried out by bacteria or enzymes, which break down a raw material such as glucose and release protons and electrons. In the past, we already talked about this approach and the microorganisms that enable it, also known as electrogenic.

Biobatteries, manufactured mainly from organic elements, are essentially biodegradable and could offer a solution for creating inexpensive single-use devices. At the moment, biobatteries are devices capable of generating a small electrical current, enough to power an LED light or a low-power sensor. However, they are expected to power wearables or IoT devices in the future.

Currently, the main types of biobatteries are:

  • Enzymatic, which use enzymes to break down a raw material.
  • Microbial, which use bacteria such as E. coli to generate energy.

One biobattery, three types of bacteria

Scientists at Binghamton University are working on the latter. In their case, they have resorted to a novel approach to improve the efficiency of their biobattery. So far, one of the issues that prevented this technology from becoming mainstream was its battery life. This type of devices worked in a lab environment, but only for a few hours.   

The new device, which its developers describe as “plug & play,” combines three types of bacteria that provide power for several weeks.

The bacteria are maintained in three vertical compartments. First, a group of photosynthetic bacteria generates nutrients for the second layer of bacteria below. Next, the second group of bacteria produces chemical elements that promote electron transfer. Finally, on the bottom “floor” are the electrogenic bacteria that produce the electric current.

The new biobatteries are designed as three-centimeter-wide square modules that can be stacked, thus multiplying their output. The developers of this technology believe that such devices will be needed in the near future when IoT devices and sensors become a common sight, many of them in remote areas. Another option we discussed for powering these remote sensors is triboelectricity.             

Origami biobatteries

In science and engineering, each discovery or invention is often preceded by other incremental advances. In the case of Binghamton University’s new biobattery, its developers had already created other models. One of the earlier versions used two types of bacteria. However, their most striking model is probably the paper biobattery prototype, the original version they presented in 2015.

That model was based on a foldable origami structure that combined paper, a cathode with a nickel bath, an anode with a carbon layer, and bacteria. Roughly the size of a matchbox, the origami biobattery simply required a drop of dirty water to operate. Since paper is an absorbent material, not even a syringe or other device was needed to introduce the bacteria.

The main benefit of using a folding origami structure is that the paper surfaces are multiplied and thus the ability to generate electricity. The resulting energy was still small but sufficient to power a biosensor.

Thus, in an emergency, a team could use these batteries to power disposable diagnostic kits that test water purity in an affordable manner. The estimated production cost of that early model was five cents on the dollar.

If you want to learn about other applications of bacteria besides biobatteries,  you can take a look at this article about bacteria that produce biodegradable plastic or this one about a bacterial concrete. And if your thirst for knowledge is still intact, you can subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Source:

  • Binghamton University
  • https://www.elprocus.com/an-overview-of-bio-battery-working-principle-types-applications/
  • Biotechnology
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability

Share on social media

{{CommentsCount}} Comments

Currently no one has commented on the news.
Be the first to leave a comment.

{{firstLevelComment.Name}}

{{firstLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{firstLevelComment.Text}}

Answer

{{secondLevelComment.Name}}

{{secondLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{secondLevelComment.Text}}

Write your comment

All fields are mandatory.

Name

Email address

Comments

250 max char.

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

{{btnSendCommentText}}

Thank you for your comment

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851, Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial de la Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid, Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50, email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com, in order to address and manage your queries, requests, claims and suggestions, as well as to electronically send information regarding our products and services through the contact email address.

The consent given by users when they contact us comprises the legal grounds for processing the data.

The data shall be stored as long as the relationship is maintained and the elimination thereof is not requested, and in any case, never for more than twelve months.

In the event your request is not addressed to ACCIONA but to an entity belonging to the Acciona Group, such entity shall transmit the data to the Group company that can most efficiently address your request for information or a service. Accordingly, when these data are transferred such transfer may be international due to the fact that these companies are located in countries outside the European Union, in order to address the communication needs among the individuals that comprise the Group at the global level. (You can consult a list of Group companies at www.acciona.com/shareholders-investors/financial-information/annual-accounts/. By accepting the privacy terms, you consent to your data being transferred internationally in order for your request to be properly processed. Other data transfers are not anticipated, except where required by law.

The interested party can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data before Acciona, S.A. by addressing ACCIONA in writing at the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. In either case, the interested party must enclose or attach a copy of their National ID (DNI) or other ID. Furthermore, at any time the interested party may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim before the Supervisory Authority (the Spanish Data Protection Agency www.aepd.es).

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter

... and stay informed with the latest news on innovation.

Send me the newsletter
{{ btnSendText }}

Wrong email format

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

YOU'RE JUST ONE STEP AWAY!

Please, confirm your subscription on the email we have sent you and your registration will be completed.

YOU ARE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO THE NEWSLETTER!

If you've missed our content, try checking your junk mailbox and add us to your address book so you can enjoy them without any problem.

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid; Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. Your data shall be processed in order to send you information, through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means, regarding our latest technological innovation of ACCIONA´s initiative "I’MNOVATION #Hub", which aims to bring the general public main news, advances and curiosities of the innovation technology of all the companies that make up the ACCIONA Group.

 

The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing. The data provide is your email address. If you fails to provide the required data, the subscription Request cannot be satisfied. We may also process your satisfaction or preferences, if you voluntarily respond to surveys. Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested.

In order to carry out our purpose, we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose. Some of its service providers, may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union. In such cases, we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same.

 

The data subject can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data to Acciona, S.A. by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es). You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication.

 

For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/.

More about Energy

  • Energy

    Kirigami-inspired solar panels

    The ancient art is inspiring the design of solar cells so they can change shape to catch the sun

  • Energy

    This is how the first neighbourhood capable of self-generating its energy requirements will work

    This village, capable of generating its own lighting and food production, will be ready to be inhabited as of 2017

  • Energy

    Solar glass, a window to the future of energy

    Renewable energy is about to become a part of our daily lives, with a host of new power-generating surfaces such as windows or canopies

Featured topics

Read the most discussed articles

  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Solar energy
  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • Wind power
  • Electricity
  • Solar glass
  • aeronautics
  • Energías renovables
  • Roads
  • Investigation

Categories

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Water
  • Digital Transformation
  • Science & Technology
  • Society

Featured topics

  • Innovation
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Water
  • Robots

Innovation is a change that introduces new features. The concept is generally used in the sense of inventions, new ideas, devices, methods and processes, and the application of improved solutions meeting fresh economic or societal requirements. Strictly speaking, however, ideas can only be termed “innovations” once they have imposed themselves as successful new products, services or procedures.

About us
Subscribe to our RSS
Imnovation
Acciona

An ACCIONA innovation initiative

  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Legal notice
  • Site map
  • Contact
  • ACCIONA's websites