5. This spit-powered battery could expand diagnostics in developing countries
A new battery developed by Binghamton University can be activated using spit and used in places where normal batteries can’t be used.Binghamton University electrical and computer science assistant professor Seokheun Choi has spent the last five years developing micro-power sources that can be used in resource-limited regions for diagnostic biosensors. Choi has previously developed other paper-based bacteria-powered sensors.
Choi and a team of researchers built microbial fuel cells using inactive, freeze-dried exoelectrogenic cells that are able to create power within minutes of being exposed to spit. In turn, the fuel cells were able to create a paper-based and bacteria-powered battery.
The battery created power using one drop of saliva and was able to give power that could be used in disposable, paper-based point of care diagnostics.