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Bio-Battery: Clean, Renewable Power Source
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Jenny Ulyanova of CFD Research explains how they are developing a novel power source that converts commonly available sugars directly into electrical energy. The Bio-Battery uses enzymes to convert the sugar into energy similar to the way biological systems use enzymes to convert food into energy. The heart of the device is a nanocomposite anode which contains enzymes capable of oxidizing glucose and other sugars, releasing electrons and generating energy. The Bio-Battery has numerous advantages over existing batteries. The biggest advantage is that the theoretical energy density is 10 times greater than that of current state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries. The Bio-Battery also utilizes renewable biocatalysts as opposed to expensive and toxic transition metal catalysts of other batteries. In addition, the Bio-Battery allows for instant recharge (through supply of more sugar) in comparison with traditional batteries which require access to power for 2+ hours for recharging.
The Bio-Battery has multiple civilian and military applications of great interest. CFDRC is working with the U.S. Army to help reduce the number of batteries soldiers are required to carry for military operations. In addition, the Bio-Battery may be used for remote monitoring, sensing, and surveillance in civilian and military situations where batteries are used, but also limit operational effectiveness and flexibility.
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On May 8th, 2012 at 3:50 pm Max Chen Said:
This is a great idea that can help save lives! An organization that I can think of that would be in support of this is Operation Free—you should consider getting their support for implementation of this in the military!
On May 9th, 2012 at 4:58 pm Urgelt Said:
A fuel cell is not a battery; a battery is not a fuel cell. Calling this thing a “bio-battery” is confusing and misleading.
The badly-named “bio-battery” can’t qualify as a battery unless you can charge it from electrical current, it stores the energy chemically, and releases it on demand. From the sound of it, this biofuel cell doesn’t operate that way. It operates by feeding it sugars; stop feeding it sugars and it stops generating electricity. There is no option to charge it from an electrical outlet.
So please, call it a “biofuel cell.” That’s a much more accurate term for it than “bio-battery.”
On July 7th, 2012 at 6:22 pm jerry dycus Said:
Let’s see they have a fuel cell that makes extremely tiny amounts of power and then says it can power EV’s 10x’s as well as Li-ion can. It’s bull like this that harms our cause of clean fuel by putting out such unjustified hype.
We don’t need better batteries, we need lighter, more aero lower cost EV’s that need 30% of the battery present production EV’s have. The EV’s now are overweight, overpriced and overteched. KIS
My EV’s cost less than a similar ICE and only cost 25% of them to run yet use 1970′s or earlier tech like medium tech composites, lead batteries and forklift EV drive tech. I get 100 mile range in 1200lbs with a body/chassis 2x’s as strong as steel. With a 4kw generator it has unlimited range at over 100 mpg over the 100 mile battery range as an example.