Scientists are working hard to develop paper-based batteries made from algae to power electronics in the coming decades. The batteries used now are made off metals, which cause pollution once they are thrown away. Also these batteries are big in size and expensive. Not at all environmentally friendly too. So the people behind the research are aiming at developing a battery from non-metal parts which is having the following properties:
i) Thin
ii) Flexible
iii) Lightweight
iv) Inexpensive
v) Environmentally friendly
Structure of Algae Battery:
Conducting polymers: (most promising materials for these batteries but…)
Can be used for developing batteries with the above mentioned properties. But their ability to hold a charge often degrades over use.
Green algae known as Cladophora:(a solution to the above problem…)
The above figure shows the cladophora algae. This algae makes a special kind of cellulose, which is having a very large surface area. Almost 100 times compared to the cellulose found in paper.
This large surface area dramatically increase the amount of conducting polymer available for use in the new type of battery, enabling it to better recharge, hold and discharge electric charge.
Advantages:
The algae batteries consist of extremely thin layers of conducting polymer, just 40 to 50 nanometers.
The algae batteries can store 50 to 200 percent more charge as compared to similar conducting polymer batteries.
The algae batteries can be recharged much faster than conventional rechargeable batteries.
Recharge time is eight minutes to just 11 seconds.
The algae batteries have greater ability to hold a charge over use.
The algae batteries showed just a 6 percent loss of charge through 100 charging cycles.
Algae battery applications and other properties read more at: