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Sony's 'Bio Battery' Generates Electricity from Sugar

Slimy   on 24 August 2007 - 01:56 · 21 comments & 8529 views

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Sony today announced the development of a bio battery that generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar) utilizing enzymes as its catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living organisms. Test cells of this bio battery have achieved power output of 50 mW, currently the world's highest level for passive-type bio batteries. The output of these test cells is sufficient to power music play back on a memory-type Walkman. In order to realize the world's highest power output, Sony developed a system of breaking down sugar to generate electricity that involves efficiently immobilizing enzymes and the mediator (electronic conduction materials) while retaining the activity of the enzymes at the anode.

Sony also developed a new cathode structure which efficiently supplies oxygen to the electrode while ensuring that the appropriate water content is maintained. Optimizing the electrolyte for these two technologies has enabled these power output levels to be reached. Sugar is a naturally occurring energy source produced by plants through photosynthesis. It is therefore regenerative, and can be found in most areas of the earth, underlining the potential for sugar-based bio batteries as an ecologically-friendly energy device of the future. Sony is going to continue its development of immobilization systems, electrode composition and other technologies in order to further enhance power output and durability, with the aim of realizing practical applications for these bio batteries in the future.

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News source: Physorg

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 21 additional comments
(2 replies) #1 Slimy on 24 Aug 2007 - 01:57
This one doesn't blow up, we promise!
#1.1 dragon2611 on 24 Aug 2007 - 09:45
Wouldn't want to be around if it did bet that would leave a sticky mess everywhere and attract flies by the ton.



On a more serious note, Good idea wander how long until they managed to make them commercially viable.
#1.2 4tehlulz on 24 Aug 2007 - 12:35
But it may give you diabetes.
(2 replies) #2 vetneufuse on 24 Aug 2007 - 01:59
just one more step closer to making batteries out of people
#2.1 nunjabusiness on 24 Aug 2007 - 02:08
Quote - (neufuse said @ #2)
just one more step closer to making batteries out of people


Exactly my thoughts!
Want to be part of the matrix power supply?
#2.2 tele-fragd on 24 Aug 2007 - 02:45
Then the next step is soylent green.
(2 replies) #3 jimbo11883 on 24 Aug 2007 - 03:29
Just stick the Sony PowerIV into your arm and be prepared for hours upon hours of quality music playback!
#3.1 billyea on 24 Aug 2007 - 04:28
Disclaimer: Sony is not responsible for internal bleeding caused by explosion of the PowerIV product within one's body. Injection is done at owners risk with no implied warranty.

For ANY piece of technology, they would need to test this thing heavily before it even comes close to my body.
#3.2 mattrobs on 24 Aug 2007 - 05:01
*Sticks in arm and collapses on table*
#4 Doli on 24 Aug 2007 - 05:46
Next on Sony's plate: human waste power. Stick a tube up your butt and feces into methane power for your power suit. You plug all your electronics into the suit,
(2 replies) #5 Narlzac85 on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:11
I can't believe every comment is negative. This has real potential as a renewable clean source of battery power. I can't believe how much of a fad hating sony has become. I could understand if YOUR battery exploded, but it probably didn't. It just became cool to hate sony. The battery in the picture looks pretty large, but how can you not be impressed or at least see that is an important achievement? As you are all aware, current battery technology has its disadvantages.
#5.1 billyea on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:48
We're not saying it can't. It's just funnier to say it can't.
#5.2 dandin1 on 25 Aug 2007 - 22:47
I'm pretty sure everyone is joking, and some comments are tongue in cheek about sony's problem with batteries. It's unrelated, but no one said anything negative about the bio battery. Just your regular unconstructive comments.
(1 reply) #6 Glassed Silver on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:12
world wide debate about ecologically good energy sources + this:

Stop eating your donuts, policemen! use energy wisely!
-police man: OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!


Glassed Silver:mac
#6.1 Narlzac85 on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:32
An uneaten donut is wasted energy...
(2 replies) #7 Shinji on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:40
How about fat? Consuming my belly fat while listening mp3s. Sounds cool.
#7.1 billyea on 24 Aug 2007 - 06:49
I think you might be onto something.
Of course, there's probably a reason they haven't done that.
#7.2 Glassed Silver on 24 Aug 2007 - 07:01
Quote - (billyea said @ #7.1)
I think you might be onto something.
Of course, there's probably a reason they haven't done that.

yea, its the lobbyists of the med's

Glassed Silver:mac
(1 reply) #8 msing on 24 Aug 2007 - 07:57
Soda, would that work?
#8.1 4tehlulz on 24 Aug 2007 - 12:34
Quote - (msing said @ #
Soda, would that work?


Soda + mentos = turbine power http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000109
#9 ThePitt on 24 Aug 2007 - 15:32
oh... How sweet. pff

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