Triple-layer bacterial biobattery generates electricity for weeks

Diversifying our energy sources is an important part of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and one interesting possibility is to tap into electricity-generating bacteria. Engineers at Binghamton University have now developed a biobattery consisting of three layers of different bacterial species, which together take in sunlight and produce electricity.

This latest biobattery comes from a long line of projects by Professor Sekhun Choi from Binghamton, who has been experimenting with bacteria-based paper batteries for years. These have taken the shape of matchbox books, ninja stars, accordion-folding paper, and even a stretchy wearable. The bacteria commonly used for these devices generate electricity as a by-product of their respiration, feeding off nutrients in their environment, or even spit or sweat.

However, one downside to them is longevity, so for the new study, Choi set out to create long-lasting biobatteries by combining multiple bacterial species that supported each other.

The team placed the cells containing different bacteria in three layers. The top layer contains photosynthetic bacteria that obtain their energy from sunlight, producing organic molecules that feed on insects in the lower layers. The bacteria in the lower layer are the ones that generate electricity by eating those nutrients, aided by certain chemicals produced by the bacteria in the middle layer.

The team tested versions of these biobatteries that measured 3 cm (0.5 in2), and found that they could generate electricity for weeks at a time. This could make them useful for operating small sensors or electronics in remote areas without human supervision. The current version of the biobattery doesn’t produce a large amount of electricity, but the team says production could be increased by adding more units.

Choi says work on future versions will focus on enabling them to float on water and repair themselves if damaged.

research was published in Journal of Power Sources,

Source: Binghamton University

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