Biodegradable Batteries

Award-winning Spanish scientist Neus Sabaté, of the Institute of Microelectronics in Barcelona, has developed a biodegradable paper battery for single-use analysis devices. It is activated when it comes into contact with whatever liquid is being analyzed, such as saliva or urine. Her interest in this was triggered by a pregnancy test she took which contained a button cell battery. She questioned the wisdom of using this type of battery for single use testing, as only a fraction of its energy was used and the rest was wasted. Sabaté came up with the idea of using the biological fluid that was being tested as the electrolyte to generate energy.
“What we are doing with these batteries is integrating the reaction electrodes into the testing paper. The fluid that passes through the paper acts as the battery’s electrolyte, which activates the electrodes.” The liquid passing through must be salty, and biological fluids are perfect for this. The main application for these batteries is in the field of diagnostics, such as pregnancy, drugs and infectious disease tests. Professor Sabaté adds that, “Electronics are going to generate the next wave of waste, so this will also help to make single-use devices more ecological.”