Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - 8

5
Wsof the
Edible Battery
Who
A team of researchers at the Italian Institute
of Technology (IIT) has created a
totally edible and rechargeable battery,
starting from materials that are normally
consumed as part of our daily diet.
What
The IIT's research group, led by Mario
Caironi, Coordinator of the Printed and
Molecular Electronics laboratory, took
inspiration from the biochemical redox
reactions that happens in all the living
beings, and developed a battery that
utilizes riboflavin (vitamin B2) as anode
and quercetin (a food supplement and
ingredient) as cathode. Activated charcoal (a widespread over-the-counter medication) was used to increase electrical
conductivity, while the electrolyte was water-based. The separator, needed in every battery to avoid short circuits,
was made from nori seaweed, the kind found in sushi. Then, electrodes were encapsulated in beeswax from which
two food-grade gold contacts (the foil used by pastry chefs) on a cellulose-derived support come out. The battery
cell operates at 0.65 V, a voltage low enough not to create problems in the human body when ingested. It can provide
current of 48 μA for 12 minutes, or a few microamps for more than an hour, enough to supply power to small
electronic devices, such as low-power LEDs, for a limited time.
The proof-of-concept battery cell was described in a paper published in the
Advanced Materials journal. (Image: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)
Where
Italian Institute of Technology, Milan, Italy
Why
One of the most interesting challenges in the development of future edible electronic systems is to realize edible power
sources. This battery offers a potential solution.
When
The fully edible rechargeable battery could open the doors to new edible electronic applications in health diagnostics,
food quality monitoring, and edible soft robotics.
8
For more information, contact Valeria delle Cave at valeria.dellecave@iit.it; +0039-010-2896.
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Tech Briefs, December 2023

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Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023

Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - Intro
Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - Sponsor
Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - Cov1
Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - Cov2
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