Binghamton University researchers have developed dissolvable batteries using probiotics. [Photo courtesy of Binghamton University]
A Binghamton University research team led by Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi has developed a battery that dissolves safely in low pH environments and published their findings in the journal Small.
The battery is powered by a 15-strain probiotic blend, which is harmless to humans and the environment. It is constructed with biodegradable materials on a water-soluble paper substrate, allowing it to dissolve harmlessly when exposed to water.
As the battery dissolves, probiotics are released from protective layers. The probiotics then metabolize available substrates to produce electricity.
Related: Bioabsorbable polymers for implantable medical devices
The battery was originally developed by Maedeg Mohammadifar when she was a student at Binghamton University. The latest research was led by PhD student Maryam Rezaie.
The researchers say the battery can deliver power for “4 minutes up to more than 100 minutes” depending on its length and polymer coating. The battery is coated in a pH-sensitive membrane, allowing for activation in acidic environments such as the human stomach.
This is the first use of probiotics for power generation. A single battery outputs 4 microwatts of power.
“A porous and rough electrode offered excellent conditions for bacteria, and that improved the microorganisms’ electrogenic capability,” Binghamton University said of the research. [Image courtesy of Binghamton University]
The battery can eliminate the need for retrieval in biomedical applications as it is bioresorbable. This can be particularly useful in treatments that require continuous monitoring for a short period, such as chemotherapy, post-surgery sepsis, acute trauma therapy, and disease biomarker detection.
The dissolvable paper is first coated with the pH-sensitive polymer, then the device components are added. An additional layer of polymer can be added to extend the operation time.
Without the polymer, the device lasts about 15 minutes in water. With one layer of the polymer, its lifetime extends to 75 minutes. An additional layer of polymer increases the operational time to over 100 minutes. However, the diffusion barriers caused by this extra layer diminish the performance of the battery slightly.
Binghamton University Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi [Photo courtesy of Binghamton University]
“We used probiotic blends, but I want to study individually which ones have the extra electric genes, and how synergistic interactions can improve the power generation,” Choi said in a news release. “Also, in this research we developed in a single unit of a biobattery. I want to contact them in series or parallel to improve the power.”
Other bioresorbable batteries
A team at The Center for Microelectronics in Provence, Gardanne, France, has developed a bioresorbable Na-ion battery. The operating time and disintegration time can both be controlled by manipulating the thickness of the encapsulation layer. This battery can also be wirelessly recharged through the skin.
At Fudan University in Shanghai, a research team developed a biocompatible battery with biodegradable fiber conductors that can be directly injected into the body. The battery was demonstrated to power biosensors in the body effectively.
