Introduction of the first edible battery it can be
Gadgets

Introduction of the first edible battery – it can be used in toys, food and medical electronics

Specialists from the Italian Institute of Technology submitted rechargeable battery made entirely from edible parts. The battery is digested in the human stomach without a trace. It can power electronics for internal diagnostics, children’s toys, and be part of sensors to track the freshness of products during long-term storage.

    Image source: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Image source: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

In the diary advanced materials Device prototype described, which operates at a voltage of 0.65 V, harmless to humans, and delivers a current of 48 μA for 12 minutes. This time is enough for a diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, after which the battery is naturally digested by a human being.

“Future potential applications range from edible circuits and sensors that can monitor health status to powering sensors to monitor food storage conditions. said the study’s lead author, Mario Caironi, a researcher in molecular electronics at the Italian Institute of Technology. “Moreover, given the level of safety of these batteries, they could be used in children’s toys where there is a high risk of choking.”

The negative electrode or battery anode is made using a vitamin such as riboflavin (B2), while another vitamin, quercetin, is used to make the cathode. The battery electrolyte is water-based. The battery separator is nori seaweed, which will be especially appreciated by lovers of Japanese cuisine and especially sushi.

Activated carbon is included in the battery to improve electrical conductivity. External contacts for power transmission to the electronics are made of beeswax with the addition of food grade gold.

    Image Credit: Advanced Materials

Image Credit: Advanced Materials

The battery demonstrator held a charge well for dozens of cycles. Unfortunately, charging the battery in the body does not work. The prototype had an area of ​​about 1 cm2, but scientists have already started work on its reduction and other improvements, including increasing capacity. For example, larger and more powerful batteries might be needed to make soft edible robots. Anyone who has undergone procedures such as an endoscopy will appreciate a possible alternative to swallowing the “tube”. This could be one of the future uses of the edible battery, but there could be others.

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