24-08-2013, 02:29 PM
Bio-Battery : Power For The Future
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Abstract
Energy (obtained from food through enzymatic reactions) is the basis of human movement. Enzymes are special proteins that facilitate chemical reactions inside our bodies. Sony's Bio Battery uses this same principle to produce electric energy. It is an extremely safe form of energy production since the fuel (glucose) is a carbohydrate just like bread or rice. Because glucose is a clean energy source---produced by plants through photosynthesis (a process that involves the absorption of CO2)---Bio Battery is also an eco-battery.
This prototype bio battery has achieved the world’s highest power output of 50 mW*2 when employed for a passive type*1 system. These research results were published at the 234th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition in August 2007 and earned respect from an academic point of view.
Introduction
A bio-battery is an energy storing device that is powered by organic compounds, usually being glucose, such as the glucose in human blood. When enzymes in our bodies break down glucose, several electrons and protons are released. Therefore, by using enzymes to break down glucose, bio-batteries directly receive energy from glucose. These batteries then store this energy for later use. This concept is almost identical to how both plants and many animals obtain energy. Although the batteries are still being tested before being commercially sold, several research teams and engineers are working to further advance the development of these batteries. Sony successfully demonstrated bio battery powered music playback with a memory type Walkman and passive speakers (which operate on power supplied by the Walkman) by connecting four bio battery units in series. The case of this bio battery, which is made from an organic plastic (polylactate), is designed to be reminiscent of a living cell.
Need of Bio-Battery
An electricity shortage is felt most by those who depend on electricity for heating, cooking, and water supply. In these circumstances, a sustained energy crisis may become a humanitarian crisis.
As it is known that the energy conservation is the major issue these times so the bio-battery is one of the energy conservation method. It can save a lot of power and it is also energy efficient phenomenon.Bio-Battery is a renewable energy source which is again the major requirement of current energy mangement system.
Working of Bio-Baterry
Bio batteries have several components that allow them to work properly and create energy.
A bio-battery generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar) utilizing enzymes as the catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living organisms.The bio-battery incorporates an anode consisting of sugar-digesting enzymes and mediator, and a
cathode comprising oxygen-reducing enzymes and mediator, either side of a cellophane separator.
Components of Bio-Battery
Bio-batteries contain an anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte, which are the basic components to any cell battery. Each component is layered on top of another component. Anodes and cathodes are the negative and positive areas on a battery. The anode is located at the top of the battery and the cathode is located at the bottom of the battery. Anodes are components that allow electrons to flow in from outside the battery, whereas cathodes are devices that allow current to flow out from the battery.
Between the anode and the cathode lies the electrolyte which contains a separator. The main function of the separator is to keep the cathode and anode separated, to avoid electrical short circuits. This system as a whole, allows for a flow of protons (H+) and electrons (e-) which ultimately generate electricity.
Base of Bio-Battery
Bio batteries are heavily based on the amount of glucose available. This glucose (sugar) can be provided from nearly anything, including soda, waste materials (such as old papers), or the glucose in living organisms.The decomposition of materials to glucose (if they are not already in the proper stage) is the main step in getting the cycle started. Materials can be converted into glucose through the process of enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis is the process in which cellulose (an insoluble substance) is converted to glucose with the addition of enzymes. After glucose exists oxygen and other enzymes can act on the glucose to further produce hydrogen ions and electrons.
Future Scope
Bio-batteries have a very bright future ahead of them as test productions and research have been increasing over recent years. They serve as a new form of energy that is proving to be environmentally friendly, as well as successful, in producing and reserving energy. Although the batteries are still being tested before being commercially sold, several research teams and engineers are working to further advance the development of these batteries.
One corporation consistently working on the advancement of these bio batteries is Sony. In fact, Sony has created a bio battery that gives an output power of 50 mW (milliwatts). This output is enough to power approximately one MP3 player. Sony, however, is planning to continue their research and development on bio batteries for commercial use. In the coming years, Sony plans to take bio batteries to market, starting with toys and devices that require a small amount of energy. Several other research facilities, such as Stanford and Northeastern, are also in the process of researching and experimenting with bio batteries as an alternative source of energy.
Conculusion
The Paper-Powered Bio Battery uses an enzyme to decompose paper into glucose and uses the glucose for power generation. For the decomposition, Sony uses an enzyme called cellulase, which decomposes cellulose. When paper is soaked in a solution that contains the enzyme, it starts to decompose into glucose. When the solution, which also contains glucose at this point, is poured into the battery, power generation starts. Because cellulase functions as a catalyst, it can be collected for reuse.
“This is the same mechanism with which termites eat wood to get energy,” said Sony. Shredded paper or pieces of corrugated board were used at the demonstration to provide cellulose, a long chain of glucose sugar found in the walls of green plants.