The first edible and rechargeable battery is born: an all-Italian invention
Table of contents
1. The Italian Institute of Technology patents the first edible battery prototype
Scientists are working hard to build batteries that are safer and less toxic, in line with the sustainability of the future.
The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Milan has developed the first prototype of a rechargeable and edible battery in the world. This innovative technology has been created using only food grade materials. It could be used for monitoring food quality, medical diagnosis and even to create edible robots.
The international magazine Advanced Materials described the prototype, developed thanks to Mario Caironi’s studies in the field of edible electronics, funded by the European Research Council.
Caironi is the coordinator of the Printed and Molecular Electronics Laboratory at the IIT Center in Milan.
This new frontier of edible electronics could have a major impact on human health, offering new ways to diagnose and treat intestinal disorders, as well as to monitor food quality.
2. How it’s made
The scientists built the edible battery using riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, as the anode, and quercetin, a substance found in capers and almonds, as the cathode.
To improve electrical conduction, they used activated carbon, commonly used as an over-the-counter drug, while the electrolyte is water-based.
The separator, which is essential to avoid short circuits, is made of nori seaweed, which is used to prepare sushi.
In addition, the electrodes have been encapsulated in beeswax and two contacts made of edible gold, derived from cellulose, have been used as a film, just like the one used by pastry chefs for decorations.
3. Its durability
In terms of durability, the battery operates at 0.65 V, a voltage low enough not to cause problems to the human body if ingested.
It can provide a current of 48 A for 12 minutes or a current of a few microamperes for more than an hour, enough to power small electronic devices such as low-power LEDs.
This first example of a fully edible rechargeable battery opens the way to new edible electronic applications.
“Potential future uses include edible circuits and sensors, capable of monitoring health conditions as well as the state of preservation of food. Furthermore, given the high level of safety of these batteries, these technologies could also be used in toys for younger children, where the risk of ingestion is high. In fact, we are already developing devices with greater capacity and reduced size.”
As Mario Caironi, the research coordinator, says, creating safe batteries free of toxic materials is a challenge for scientists committed to building a sustainable future. This innovation shows that it is possible to create safer energy sources than current lithium-ion batteries.
