Scientists of Japan developed a bio-battery that produces electricity using waste papers. The prototype of this innovative and environment friendly bio-battery was displayed in ‘Ecoproducts2011′ exhibition in Tokyo by Sony the most famous electronic company of Japan.
The bio-battery functions by decomposing cellulose in the paper into glucose using the enzyme ‘cellulase’. This process is almost similar to the process of digestion in herbivores like cows but the only difference is that the digestive enzyme cellulase is produced by the intestinal bacteria in their digestive system.
The glucose molecules thus produced react with Oxygen and give rise to electrons and Hydrogen ions. The bio-battery uses the electrons to generate electricity.
The bi-products in this reaction are water and glucanolactose which are not harmful to the ecosystem.The electricity generated by this battery will be about 18 watts per hour which is sufficient to run a digital music player and a small fan.
The project is still in the development stage but as the electronic giant Sony is behind the project the bio-battery may very soon come into common use.
