Ni-MH batteries

Research team develops a "Ni-MH batteries" that can be driven by saliva

Recently, a research team at Binghamton University in New York, USA, developed a "Ni-MH batteries" that can be driven by saliva. This battery looks like chocolate and relies on saliva to "awaken" special bacteria stored in the battery to drive current. At present, it requires a large number of series connections to have a significant amount of power, and may become a temporary power source in the future.

Taiwan's China Times Electronic News quoted the Smithsonian Institution on the 9th as saying that the correct name of this "Ni-MH batteries" is "microbial fuel cell" (MFCs), which uses special bacteria to drive current, and saliva is the medium for starting bacteria. Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Science at Binghamton University, Cai Shangen (Korean), is the host of the research and development team. He has been committed to developing simple small power sources for rural areas that lack electricity to provide local medical examination equipment.

Professor Cai said that many medical diagnostic machines require electricity. Although the power requirement is not high, there is a lack of electricity in poor areas, and there is no place to find even if you want to charge, so it is best to be able to generate electricity by yourself.

US scientists invent "Ni-MH batteries": saliva can light up LED

Bacterial power battery is powered by an anaerobic bacterium called "Oneida Lake Bacillus". Oneida Lake Bacillus was isolated from the bottom of Oneida Lake in New York, USA. It can survive in a low-oxygen heavy metal environment and reduce metal ions to metals. It is often used in nanotechnology and wastewater treatment. Bacterial batteries also use this characteristic.

This "Ni-MH batteries" is as thin as paper. It has a cathode made of silver nitrate and a conductive polymer as an anode. In the middle is a storage device made of freeze-dried bacteria. Oneida Lake Bacillus can feed on organic matter such as glucose, so saliva is very suitable. When dry bacteria encounter saliva, they will be awakened and begin to breathe (decompose nutrients). In this process, electrons and protons will be released. The cathode of silver nitrate will capture these electrons to generate current. It has been proven to be feasible, but the power needs to be strengthened.

Professor Cai said that the power of our bacterial batteries is about a few microwatts per square centimeter (one millionth of a watt). 16 in series can barely light up an LED, but it is still not enough for other electronic products that require higher power. Therefore, we need to improve the power of the battery, which is the direction of future efforts.

American scientists invented the "Ni-MH batteries": saliva can light up LEDs02.jpg

Currently, the "Ni-MH batteries" cannot power mobile phones, but other researchers are also interested in joining the research. In addition, it can be driven not only by saliva, but also by sweat. Therefore, Allen Macchio of the University of Rosenberg hopes that it can become a wearable electronic product attached to the body.

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