Italian researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have developed the world’s first fully rechargeable and edible battery, according to a study published in Advanced Materials. The innovative technology, made with materials commonly found in our daily diets, could revolutionize the fields of health diagnostics, food quality monitoring, and even edible soft robotics.
Breakthrough in Edible Electronics
The Printed and Molecular Electronics Laboratory at the IIT Center in Milan led the research into the electronic properties of food and its by-products. Their goal was to create cutting-edge edible electronic materials by combining them with edible materials. The breakthrough battery uses riboflavin as anode and quercetin as a cathode, activated charcoal for electrical conductivity, and nori seaweed as a separator to avoid short circuits. The electrodes are encapsulated in beeswax with two food-grade gold contacts on a cellulose-derived support.
Safe and Sustainable Energy Source
The battery operates at a voltage low enough not to create problems when ingested and can provide a current of 48 μA for 12 minutes, enough to power small electronic devices, such as low-power LEDs, for a limited time. While the battery won’t power electric cars, it offers a safer and more sustainable alternative to current Li-ion batteries, without the usage of toxic materials. The researchers believe it will inspire others to build safer batteries for a sustainable future.
The Future Potential
The edible battery offers a range of future potential uses, from edible circuits and sensors that can monitor health conditions to powering sensors for monitoring food storage conditions. It could also be used in children’s toys, where there is a high risk of ingestion. The researchers are already working on developing devices with greater capacity and reducing overall size. These developments will be tested for powering edible soft robots in the future.
This breakthrough in edible electronics presents exciting possibilities for the future of sustainable and safe energy sources. With the potential to revolutionize the fields of health diagnostics, food quality monitoring, and soft robotics, this battery is a significant step towards a sustainable future.
