“THE FUTURE OF ENERGY BIO BATTERY ”

A
SEMINAR REPORT
submitted
in partial fulfilment
for the award of the Degree of
Bachelor of Technology
in Department of Electrical Engineering

Submitted To :- Submitted By: -

Er. Naveen kumar Tiwari Prajapati Abhinav Jamwant
Assistant Professor Roll No.:18EAREE203
Electrical Engineering B.Tech. Final Year

Department of Electrical Engineering

Arya College of Engineering & Information Technology, Jaipur
Rajasthan technical university, Kota (Raj.)
Session: 2020-21
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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Seminar Report on “THE FUTURE OF ENERGY BIO
BATTERY” Submitted by Prajapati Abhinav Jamwant Roll No.: - 18EAREE203 in
partial fulfilment for the award of degree of Bachelor of Technology in Department of
Electrical Engineering, Arya College of Engg. & I.T., Jaipur.

Date: -
Place: - ACEIT, JAIPUR

Er. Naveen Tiwari Er. Naveen Tiwari

Seminar Mentor Seminar Coordinator
Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering

Dr. Prabhat Kumar

Head of Electrical Department

Department of Electrical Engineering

Arya College of Engineering and Information Technology, Jaipur
Rajasthan Technical University, Kota
Session-2020-21

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is matter of great pleasure and privilege for me to present this seminar project report on the basis of practical
knowledge gained by me during this seminar project report “THE FUTURE OF ENERGY BIO
BATTERY”.
I would also like to thank Er. Naveen Kumar Tiwari (Seminar Coordinator & Seminar Mentor) for their
contribution in preparing my seminar project report and to guide me for delivering the seminar project report.
And for his pain tasking effort and enthusiastic cooperation to make possible.
I express sincere thanks to Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Head of Electrical department of A.C.E.I.T. for giving me
an opportunity for conducting the seminar report.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to Management and Principle of Arya College of Engineering & I.T.
for extending me the opportunity for making seminar project report and providing all the necessary resources
for this purpose.

Prajapati Abhinav Jamwant

Roll No.-18EAREE203

ii
 ABSTRACT
There are several reasons to research alternative fuel sources. For one, it may lead to an
alternative solution to our dependence on oil and other types of energy sources that harm the
environment. Also, from a medical point of view, developing small batteries that can be
powered by a human body me prove revolutionary for many reasons: health
complications/cost/availability. Carbohydrates (glucose) are broken down to release energy
and generate electricity. This bio battery, which is based on mechanisms used in living
organism, is not only friendly to the environment but also has great potential for use as an
energy source. Unlike fossil fuels, carbohydrates (glucose) are carbon neutral and do not
contribute to increases in carbon dioxide. The important constraints like energy density,
size/weight, instant recharge, flexible shape, renewable biocatalysts, room temperature
operation, and readily available fuel source created the necessity of batteries which can be
renewable and a continuous source of energy. The invention of Bio batteries contribute in
goodwill of the environment but eliminating the shortfalls offered by traditional batteries
made up of metal plates.Plants create both carbohydrates and oxygen by photosynthesis from
carbon dioxide and water. Animals take up those carbohydrates and oxygen and utilize them
as an energy source and release carbon dioxide and water. Then this cycle starts again. Since
the carbon dioxide is recycled in this system, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
does not increase. If electrical energy could be directly acquired from this cycle, we could
obtain more environmentally friendly energy than that from fossil fuels. Furthermore,
renewable energy sources such as glucose (which is present in plants and therefore abundantly
available) have an extremely high energy density. Batteries containing heavy metals pose a
danger to both the environment and human health. Bio batteries that have been developed in
recent years need to be placed in separate compartments for waste separation. But in the near
future, it may be possible to completely avoid metals in our batteries. 4Bio battery, which is
based on Energy for activity, that is the ATP and thermal energy commonly used in the living
organism, can be obtained from the exchange of the electrons and protons through these two
enzymatic reactions. To take advantage of this living organism mechanism, the energy for
activity from inside the organism must be removed outside the organism as electrical energy.
That is, when the electrons and protons move from enzyme to enzyme, it is necessary to
extract just the electrons and divert them through a separate path. Thus Sony used an electron
transport mediator so that electrons could be exchanged smoothly between the enzymes and
the electrodes that are the entrance and exit to that detour. The principles of the bio battery
are based on the energy conversion mechanism in living organisms.
However, in order to create the bio battery, several technologies needed to be developed.
These include immobilization of enzymes that are normally incompatible with carbon and
metal electrodes, electrode structures, and electrolytes. Mechanisms used in living organisms,
are not only friendly to the environment but is also likely to be of practical use as an energy
source. This prototype bio battery has achieved the world’s highest power output of 50 mW*2.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

S.No Topic Page No.

i Certificate i

ii Acknowledgement ii

iii Abstract iii

iv List of Figures vi
v Glossary of Abbreviation vii
Chapter - 1 INTRODUCTION 1-5

1.1 Necessity 2-3

1.2 Theme 3-5

Chapter-2 LITERATURE SURVEY 6-11

2.1 Introduction 6-7

2.2 History 7-11

Chapter-3 SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 12-26

3.1 Introduction 12-13

3.2 Working 13-19

3.3 Features and Specifications 20-26

Chapter-4 Packaging of Bio-Fuel Cells 27-29

Chapter-5 Advantages 30-31

Chapter-6 Applications 32

iv
Chapter-7 Future Scope 33
Chapter-8 Conclusion 34
Reference 36

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. No. Title Page No.

1.1 A Bio Battery 1

1.2 Carbon cycle 3
1.3 Stacked Bio Battery 5
2.1 Traditional Battery Principle 6
2.2 An Mp3 powered by a Bio battery 8
2.3 Bacteria that produces electricity 10
3.1 Principle of Fuel Cell 12
3.2 Working of a Bio Battery 13
3.3 Elements of a Bio battery 14
3.4 Enzymes used to convert sugar directly into electrical 15
energy
3.5 Enzymes extracted from microorganisms 16
3.6 Nanocomposite electrodes integrated with fuel cell 17
hardware
3.7 Comparison of random and site-selective 19
functionalization of CNTs, illustrating the utility of
latter for nanobiodevices
3.8 Single Cell Bio battery 20
3.9 Six Cell Bio battery 21
3.10 Progress of performance 22
3.11 Temperature vs Current Density 22
3.12 performance with respect to shelf life 23
3.13 Microprocessor and LCD powered by bio battery 24
3.14 Sensor and Wireless Transmitter running on a bio 24
battery
3.15 cell stack bio battery 25
5.1 Different fuels used in Bio batteries 30
6.1 Applications of Bio batteries 32

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 GLLOSSARY OF ABBRIVATION

Abbreviation Description

BFCs Bio fuel cells

CO2 Carbon dioxide

A2 Oxygen

GOx glucose oxidize

MFC Microbial fuel cell

DOD Defence of Department

AC Alternating current

DC Direct current

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 INTRODUCTION
A bio-battery is an energy storing device that is powered by organic compounds. Bio-Battery
generates electricity from renewable fuels (glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc.) providing a
sustained, on-demand portable power source. When enzymes in our bodies break down
glucose, several electrons and protons are released. Therefore, by using enzymes to break
down glucose, bio-batteries directly receive energy from glucose. These batteries then store
this energy for later use. This concept is almost identical to how both plants and many animals
obtain energy. Bio battery use biocatalyst, either biomolecules such as enzymes or even whole
living organism to catalyze oxidation of bio mass-based materials for generating electrical
energy.

Fig 1.1: A Bio Battery

Bio Battery can be called as energy accumulated device that is motorized by organic

1
compounds, usually being glucose, like glucose in human blood. Many electrons and
protons are released due to break down of glucose by enzymes present in our body. Thus,
bio batteries directly get energy from glucose by using enzymes present in a human body
break down glucose. An interesting fact is that bacteria can generate electricity when a
protein in their cell membranes gets in touch with a mineral surface. Shewanella oneidensis
is marine bacteria that can develop electric currents when bared to heavy metals like iron
and manganese. These proteins can transmit electrons transversely a membrane at a rate
faster enough so that the energy produced is sufficient so that bacteria can survive.
Functioning of these bacteria will help scientists in making those bio batteries that could
store energy for sensors in remote environment.

Human blood and sugar glucose are considered as most priceless sources of power because they
happen naturally, are easy to get and no harmful emissions are reproduced. Another interesting
battery uses human urine as its fuel. The size of the device is like a credit card size and might
form the source of economical, disposable disease testing kits. What makes it more useful is that
the battery and devices for testing is incorporated in one disposable chip .

1.1Necessity
There are several reasons to research alternative fuel sources. For one, it may lead to an
alternative solution to our dependence on oil and other types of energy sources that harm the
environment. Also, from a medical point of view, developing small batteries that can be
powered by a human body me prove revolutionary for many reasons: health
complications/cost/availability. Carbohydrates (glucose) are broken down to release energy
and generate electricity. This bio battery, which is based on mechanisms used in living
organism, is not only friendly to the environment but also has great potential for use as an
energy source.

Unlike fossil fuels, carbohydrates (glucose) are carbon neutral and do not contribute to
increases in carbon dioxide. The important constraints like energy density, size/weight, instant
recharge, flexible shape, renewable biocatalysts, room temperature operation, and readily
available fuel source created the necessity of batteries which can be renewable and a
continuous source of energy. The invention of Bio batteries contributes in goodwill of the
environment but eliminating the shortfalls offered by traditional batteries made up of metal
plates.

2
 Fig. 1.2: Carbon cycle

Plants create both carbohydrates and oxygen by photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and
water. Animals take up those carbohydrates and oxygen and utilize them as an energy source
and release carbon dioxide and water. Then this cycle starts again. Since the carbon dioxide is
recycled in this system, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere does not increase. If
electrical energy could be directly acquired from this cycle, we could obtain more
environmentally friendly energy than that from fossil fuels. Furthermore, renewable energy
sources such as glucose (which is present in plants and therefore abundantly available) have
an extremely high energy density. Batteries containing heavy metals pose a danger to both the
environment and human health. Bio batteries that have been developed in recent years need to
be placed in separate compartments for waste separation. But in the near future, it may be
possible to completely avoid metals in our batteries.

1.3Theme

Bio battery, which is based on Energy for activity, that is the ATP and thermal energy commonly
used in the living organism, can be obtained from the exchange of the electrons and protons
through these two enzymatic reactions. To take advantage of this living organism mechanism,
the energy for activity from inside the organism must be removed outside the organism as
electrical energy.

That is, when the electrons and protons move from enzyme to enzyme, it is necessary to extract

3
just the electrons and divert them through a separate path. Thus Sony used an electron transport
mediator so that electrons could be exchanged smoothly between the enzymes and the electrodes
that are the entrance and exit to that detour.
The principles of the bio battery are based on the energy conversion mechanism in living
organisms. However, in order to create the bio battery, several technologies needed to be
developed. These include immobilization of enzymes that are normally incompatible with carbon
and metal electrodes, electrode structures, and electrolytes.
Mechanisms used in living organisms, are not only friendly to the environment but is also likely
tube of practical use as an energy source.
This prototype bio battery has achieved the world’s highest power output of 5
electrons and protons move from enzyme to enzyme, it is necessary to extract just the electrons
and divert them through a separate path.
Thus Sony used an electron transport mediator so that electrons could be exchanged smoothly
between the enzymes and the electrodes that are the entrance and exit to that detour. The
principles of the bio battery are based on the energy conversion mechanism in living organisms.
However, in order to create the bio battery, several technologies needed to be developed. These
include immobilization of enzymes that are normally incompatible with carbon and metal
electrodes, electrode structures, and electrolytes.
Mechanisms used in living organisms, are not only friendly to the environment but is also likely
tube of practical use as an energy source. This prototype bio battery has achieved the world’s
highest power output of 50 mW*2.
The principles of the bio battery are based on the energy conversion mechanism in living
organisms. However, in order to create the bio battery, several technologies needed to be
developed. These include immobilization of enzymes that are normally incompatible with carbon
and metal electrodes, electrode structures, and electrolytes.
Mechanisms used in living organisms, are not only friendly to the environment but is also likely
tube of practical use as an energy source.

4
 Fig. 1.3: Stacked Bio Battery

There are two types of Bio Batteries Passive system type & Active type system. In passive
type system reactive substances are absorbed in to the electrodes through a process of natural
diffusion. In active type system the reactive substance is introduced by force by technique as
string, convection. Bio batteries. work similarly to the metabolic process in our bodies, or
more specifically the metabolic processes in ruminants and termites that have the ability to
digest cellulose. Enzymes break down cellulose into glucose, a central energy source in both
animal and plant metabolism and a clean energy source while bio-battery is more
environmentally friendly to recycle than metal-based batteries as it creates its own energy
from the cellulose found in cardboard and paper.

5
 LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 Introduction
Electricity, as we already know, is the flow of electrons through a conductive path like a
wire. This path is called a circuit. Batteries have three parts, an anode (-), a cathode (+), and
the electrolyte. The cathode and anode (the positive and negative sides at either end of a
traditional battery) are hooked up to an electrical circuit.

Fig. 2.1: Traditional Battery Principle

The chemical reactions in the battery cause a buildup of electrons at the anode. This results in
an electrical difference between the anode and the cathode. You can think of this difference
as an unstable build-up of the electrons. The electrons want to rearrange themselves to get rid
of this difference. But they do this in a certain way. Electrons repel each other and try to go to
a place with fewer electrons.

In a battery, the only place to go is to the cathode. But, the electrolyte keeps the electrons
from going straight from the anode to the cathode within the battery. When the circuit is closed
(a wire connects the cathode and the anode) the electrons will be able to get to the cathode. In
the picture above, the electrons go through the wire, lighting the light bulb along the way. This
is one way of describing how electrical potential causes electrons to flow through the circuit.

6
However, these electrochemical processes change the chemicals in anode and cathode to make
them stop supplying electrons. So there is a limited amount of power available in a battery.
When we recharge a battery, you change the direction of the flow of electrons using another
power source, such as solar panels. The electrochemical processes happen in reverse, and the
anode and cathode are restored to their original state and can again provide full power.

2.2 History
As an electrical signal can induce a biological reaction; the reverse in is also true in most of
the cases and in this way biological processes can be used to generate electricity for powering
electrical equipment. Even though the Bio fuel cells have been known for almost a century
since the first microbial BFC (Bio fuel cells) was demonstrated in 1912, the first enzyme-
based bio-fuel cell was reported only in 1964 using glucose oxidize (GOx) as the anodic
catalyst and glucose as the bio-fuel.

The first Bio Battery:

The Bio Battery, based on the work of Professor Kenji Kano (Kyoto University), is a type of
battery that uses energy sources such as carbohydrates, amino acids and enzymes from a
variety of sources. anode consists of sugar-digesting enzymes and mediator, and the cathode
composes of oxygen reducing enzymes and mediator.

The mediators in this case are Vitamin K3 for the anode and potassium ferricyanide for the
cathode. When sugar is added to the mixture, the anode garners the electrons and hydrogen
ions. When the battery generates power, the protons travel to the cathode through the
electrolyte to combine with the oxygen to produce water. Since the biocatalysts (enzymes) are
very selective catalytically, the miniaturized bio- fuel cell could in principle be fabricated as a
membrane-less fuel cell.

Bio Battery using Carbohydrates

Sony Corporation (Japan) has developed a bio-battery with a peak power output of 50 mW,
which could power a portable MP3 player. On August 23, 2007 Sony announced the
development of a bio battery that generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar) utilizing
enzymes as its catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living
organisms.

7
 Fig 2.2: An Mp3 powered by a Bio battery

Recent Bio Batteries using Blood and Sweat:

“It’s flexible, it can be shaped or folded, & can poke a hole in it & it still works” says chemist
ROBERT LINHARDT, a member of research team that developed the new bio battery made
from paper & carbon Nano tubes working at RENSSELAR POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE IN
NEWYORK, easily implanted directly under the skin unlike metal batteries.

The Latest Bio Battery using Virus:

Scientists engineered a virus at the “MIT” that could form a battery 3 times more powerful
than those found in gadgets today. PROBLEM: virus can mutate & can spread by air. So when

8
these batteries run our laptop we really have to watch which virus to remove.

Bio Battery using Bacteria:

Bielefeld iGEM team is to develop an environmentally friendly bio-battery (Microbial fuel
cell - MFC), which directly transforms bacteria into energy. Batteries such as these work in
the same way as conventional batteries, but with anode and the cathode components, just like
the batteries now in current household use.

A partly permeable membrane separates the two areas. In contrast to conventional batteries,
however, there are bacteria in the anode area of the bio-battery instead of electrolytes. These
break down substrates, in this case glucose, in a metabolic process. This produces electrons
that after starting from the anode are finally delivered in an external loop to the cathode. The
external circuit is then the one with the battery-

powered application, for example, for lights or small motors. In this way, bacteria can produce
electric energy. The bio-battery offers an array of advantages. Due to their simple construction
they can be used in regions here there is shortage of electricity, for example, such as in
developing countries.

An advantage that the bio-battery has over other regenerative energy sources, such as solar
and wind power is that they are not dependent on the weather. In the case of bio-batteries, the
more nourishment the bacteria receive the more energy they produce. What is more, in theory
bacteria are an inexhaustible source of energy as they multiply quickly when supplied with
substrates.

A new study reveals how bacteria produce electricity when proteins in their cell membranes
come into contact with a mineral surface. Scientists have known for some time that a family
of marine bacteria known as Shewanella oneidensis, found in deep ocean sediments and soil,
can create electrical currents when exposed to heavy metals like iron and manganese

In a study published (March 25,13) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, researchers show that these proteins can ferry electrons across a membrane at a rate
fast enough to produce the energy the bacteria need to survive.

9
 Fig. 2.3: Bacteria that produces electricity

In the laboratory, the Bielefeld students are investigating various bacterial organisms and their
genetic components. Through the combination of differing genes, it is possible to optimize the
organism Escherichia coli with a view to produce electricity more efficiently. The students
can already report initial successes: they have isolated various genes that serve to carry the
electrons and begun to construct a suitable apparatus for the production of electricity. They
would like to have an optimized bio-battery for small-scale use developed by the time the
preliminary European round of the iGEM has been decided. Thus on July 17, 2013 technology

10
sights on constructing a bio-battery making use of the bacteria Escherichia coli to convert
glucose into energy.

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 SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
3.1 Introduction

A bio-battery generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar) utilizing enzymes as the

catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living organisms. The
bio-battery incorporates an anode consisting of sugar digesting enzymes and mediator, and a
cathode comprising oxygen-reducing enzymes and mediator, either side of a cellophane
separator. The anode extracts electrons and hydrogen ions from the sugar (glucose) through
enzymatic oxidation as follows:

Glucose→Gluconolactone+2H+ + 2e−
The hydrogen ion migrates to the cathode through the separator. Once at the cathode, the
hydrogen ions and electrons absorb oxygen from the air to produce

O2 +4H+ +4e− →2H2O

Fig. 3.1: Principle of Fuel Cell

During this electrochemical reaction, the electrons pass through the outer circuit to generate
electricity. It is interesting to note that the catalytic four-electron reduction of oxygen to water

12
could take place at an enzyme electrode in a neutral solution. Due to the selective reactivity of
the enzymes at each electrode, no cross reaction occurs between the anode and cathode. In
general, the Bio batteries could be classified into many types based on fuel containment, fuel and
catalyst sources, origin of the catalytic enzymes and the method of electron transfer between
reaction site and electrode.

3.2 Working
A Bio-Battery battery consists of two different metals suspended in an acidic solution. They
contain an anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte, which are the basic components to any
cell battery. Each component is layered on top of another component. Anodes and cathodes
are the negative and positive areas on a battery. The anode is located at the top of the battery
and the cathode is located at the bottom of the battery.Anodes are components that allow
electrons to flow in from outside the battery, whereas cathodes are devices that allow current
to flow out from the battery.

Fig. 3.2: Working of a Bio Battery

Between the anode and the cathode lies the electrolyte which contains a separator. The main
function of the separator is to keep the cathode and anode separated, to avoid electrical short
circuits. This system as a whole allows for a flow of protons (H+) and electrons (e-) which
ultimately generate electricity. The movement of protons has a moving force that pushes, this

13
movement is called current. When this moving force (current) is measured, it is measured it
what is called voltage or volts.

Fig. 3.3: Elements of a Bio battery

Like a conventional fuel cell battery, Bio Battery basically consists of an anode, cathode,
electrolyte and separator. However, Bio Battery has certain specific characteristics. First,
biological enzymes are used as catalysts for the anode and cathode. Second, enzymes and
electronic mediators (which transfer electrons between enzymes, and between enzymes and
electrodes) are fixed on the anode and cathode.

Glucose is broken down on the anode side of the battery, producing protons (H+) and electrons
(e-). The protons (H+) are transferred to the cathode side through the separator, while the
electrons (e-) are transported to the cathode side through the mediator, which transfers them

14
to the external circuit. The cathode uses the enzymes to drive an oxygen-reduction reaction
which ultimately produces water using both the protons (H+) and the electrons (e-) transferred
from the anode. These reactions at the anode and cathode generate electric energy by creating
proton (H+) and electron (e-) flow in the cell system.

Bio batteries are heavily based on the amount of glucose available. The decomposition of
materials to glucose (if they are not already in the proper stage) is the main step in getting
the cycle started. Materials can be converted into glucose through the process of enzymatic
hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis is the process in which cellulose (an insoluble substance) is
converted to glucose with the addition of enzymes. After glucose exists oxygen and other
enzymes can act on the glucose to further produce hydrogen ions and electrons.

Fig. 3.4: Enzymes used to convert sugar directly into electrical energy

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 Fig. 3.5: Enzymes extracted from microorganisms

As shown in the above figure Bio battery uses enzymes to convert sugar directly into electrical
energy. Enzymes are extracted from microorganisms these enzymes are immobilized in
Carbon Nanotube based electrode. Nanocomposite electrodes are integrated with fuel cell

16
hardware.

Fig. 3.6: Nanocomposite electrodes integrated with fuel cell hardware

Electron transfer, spatial dislocation of an electron, is the simplest of chemical processes

underlying all chemical reactions. The process of efficiently and controllably moving electrons
around is one of the primary regulatory mechanisms in biology. of life depends on the constant
shuttling of electrons. Almost all chemical reactions involve transfer of electrons and so in
principle any one of them can be leveraged for technological applications. The addition of silver
has been shown to be an important additive for helping microbes turns sewage into power and to
create bio-batteries.
The latest step in the quest for 'clean electricity' has shown that proteins on the surface of bacteria
can produce an electric current by simply touching a mineral surface. It is possible for bacteria
to lie directly on the surface of a metal or mineral and transfer electrical charge through their cell
membranes. In theory, it should be possible to 'tether' bacteria directly to electrodes. With the
process, microorganisms attached to the anode then start snatching electrons from organic
compounds dissolved in the waste water to produce carbon dioxide and clean water.

17
All microbe-based batteries and fuel cells need a place to send electrons, a fact that has proved
to be technically challenging. With some new research, scientists at Stanford University have
replaced bubbling oxygen with a solid silver oxide that consumes electrons, making a more
reliable, rechargeable bacterial battery. Silver possesses the highest electrical conductivity of any
element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. Silver is found in native form, as an
alloy with gold (electrum), and in ores containing sulphur, arsenic, antimony or chlorine. this be
reproduced on an industrial scale.
Another advantage with silver it has a high efficiency in terms of the amount of power produced.
The downside is that silver is relatively expensive and the cost would be high, should this be
reproduced on an industrial scale.
In general, the bio-fuel cells are classified based on the type of electron transfer; mediated
electron transfer and direct electron transfer or electronic charge transfer (ECT). The ECT of the
bio-fuel cells is critically reviewed and a variety of possible applications is considered. The
technical challenges of the biofuel cells, like bioelectrocatalysis, immobilization of
bioelectrocatalysts, protein denaturation etc.

For the electron transfer the Carbone Nano tubes are used which is a tube-shaped material, made
of carbon, having a diameter measuring on the nanometre scale. A nanometre is one-billionth of
a meter, or about one ten-thousandth of the thickness of a human hair. The graphite layer appears
somewhat like a rolled-up chicken wire with a continuous unbroken hexagonal mesh and carbon
molecules at the apexes of the hexagons. Carbon Nanotubes have many structures, differing in
length, thickness, and in the type of helicity and number of layers.

Although they are formed from essentially the same graphite sheet, their electrical characteristics
differ depending on these variations, acting either as metals or as semiconductors. As a group,
Carbon Nanotubes typically have diameters ranging from <1 nm up to 50 nm. Their lengths are
typically several microns, but recent advancements have made the nanotubes much longer, and
measured in centimetres.

CNTs have unique electronic properties, high mechanical strength and chemical stability, making
them attractive for fabricating of GOx coupled CNT based device elements for use in bio fuel
cells. For chemically coupling the CNTs with biomolecules, it is critical to functionalize CNT
surfaces, which are very inert. Several strategies have been developing for functionalizing CNTs

18
for sensing via electrical, electrochemical, and electro-optical means. In all the cases, however,
the CNTs are functionalized wet-chemically in a spatially random fashion where molecular
bonding is mediated by defect creation, or hydrophobic adsorption.

Fig. 3.7: Comparison of random and site-selective functionalization of CNTs, illustrating the
utility of latter for nanobiodevices. (a) Conventional methods result in random defect creation,
while ion irradiation allows control over site selectivity, defect types, and concentration.
(b)Schematic of an example hybrid Nano device comprised of site-selectively anchored
nanostructures on preselected segments of a CNT assembly (black) on a planar substrate (green,
e.g., Si). Arrays of such devices, with each array element potentially containing different
nanostructures, open up possibilities for addressing specific CNT segments, for fingerprinting,
detection, analysis, and separation of bio molecular structures in a single chip. It is therefore
necessary to go beyond the random attachment paradigm to one that allows control over the
location of bimolecular attachment in order to fully exploit bioderivatized CNTs to build device
architectures on a chip for multifunctional sensing .Localized creation of high reactivity zones in
CNTs for subsequent derivatization would ensure that the overall properties of the CNTs are
retained or controllably altered, and the integrity of other chip components are not compromised
or destroyed during device fabrication.

19
3.3 Features & Specifications

The bio batteries are stacked in single or a multi cell prototype. The packaging aspects of the
bio-fuel cells are also analyzed and the found that relatively little work has been done in the
engineering development of bio-fuel cells. The single cell and six cell bio battery packaging
is as shown in the figure below

Fig. 3.8: Single Cell Bio battery

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 Fig. 3.9: Six Cell Bio battery

The single cell type bio battery prototype has a power density of approximately 10 mili wat
per square cm at the current density of 25 mA per square cm providing voltage of about 800
mV. While the six cell stack has power density of approximately 0.25 mili watt per square
cm at the current density of 125 mA per square cm providing voltage of about 2 volts. Rapid
progress has led to state of the art power and current densities of 9mW/cm2 and 35mA/cm2.

21
 Fig.3.10: Progress of performance

The Bio battery has greater than six months’ shelf life at +55°C (results from 6 test
cells). Significant increase over enzyme in free solution (denatured at 40°C).. This
storage and operating performance is shown in the graphs below.

Fig. 3.11: Temperature vs Current Density

22
Devices (3 cells) show stable current (>1.5mA/cm2) over 72 hrs continuous operation with
160μL/min of fuel recirculation. The current density versus operating time graph is shown in
the graph above.

Fig. 3.12: performance with respect to shelf life

The bio battery Shows robust, repeatable, and reliable performance and stable operation
from -30°C to +55°C for >6 months.

The performance of a bio battery can be understood by analyzing it with the help of an
application demo. The

following example shows a Bio-Battery Powering Microprocessor and LCD.

23
 Fig. 3.13: Microprocessor and LCD powered by bio battery

The open circuit voltage here is > 4.0V, Short-Circuit Current is > 125mA. The load voltage
is V >2.0V and current is approximately0.5mA while the power is 1mW. This application
needs 5mL of glucose fuel is sufficient for >100 hrs. operation Another example shows Sensor
and Wireless Transmitter running on a bio battery

Fig 3.14: Sensor and Wireless Transmitter running on a bio battery

24
Temperature sensor with 2.4GHz radio attached powered by 6-cell Bio-Battery Stack Bio-
Battery. It wirelessly transmits data to computer (temperature and voltage). Average power
draw is 5mA (peak 20mA) at 3.0V. It transmits every 1sec allows ~1.5-2hrs operation with
Bio-Battery. Transmitting every 60sec would allow ~100hrs operation. The new Prototype of
bio batteries id developed in March 2013. It is a 5W Prototype with 15-Cell Graphite Stack.
This prototype is as shown in the figure below

Fig. 3.15: cell stack bio battery

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This 5W Prototype with 15-Cell Graphite Stack Designed and fabricated with graphite bipolar
plate configuration. This Stack provides 5V at 1A (5W). It is Fitted with USB connector and
demonstrated powering electronic devices and recharging an iPhone.

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 PACKAGING OF BIO-FUEL CELLS

One of the major challenges in bio nanotechnology is merging new nanoscale fabrication tools
with classical synthetic methods and delicate bimolecular building blocks to create materials
with unique biomedical properties. In order to address the packaging requirement of the bio-
fuel cells, it will be necessary to bridge the disciplines of biology, chemistry, materials science,
semiconductor technology and engineering to find optimum packaging solutions for the
challenges posed by these devices. Biological packaging can be defined as the sum total of the
physical device, temperature regulating and monitoring systems, type of preservation solution,
and storage protocol(s) necessary to maintain cells or tissues in a “state of suspended
animation” during transport or storage. The packaging issues connected with biological
applies-cations pose different set of challenges. The materials used in the medical device
industry are extremely robust, and research shows that the failure rate is less than one in one
million packages. To achieve the performance levels of this order, the reliability testing
procedures for the devices has to be very stout, which is an added cost of the product. The big
difference, however, between medical device packaging and other branches of the packaging
industry is
the role the regulators play. Primarily the medical device industry for the last 30 years has
been shaped by the FDA, which oversees all aspects of medical device packaging\from
material selection, design and manufacturing to labeling and sterilization.43 Frequently, the
packaging solutions for biological applications are tailored to their specific application, which
contributes to lack of standardization. BFC research and development appears to be meager at
present to grasp its real packaging challenges. However, understanding of Bio-MEMS’s
packaging issues that exist today could serve as a foundation to focus on the bio-fuel cell
packaging demands. Small size and low power are crucial for implantable devices. Low power
electronics contributes towards minimization of volume and permit insertion of devices into
locations such as the eye and ear for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Biocompatible materials and processes such as advanced sealing and packaging techniques
are also vital for small implantable and diagnostic devices. For example, a major
break-through in stents was to treat them with drug- bearing polymers.45 Usage of drug-
bearing and biocompatible plastics for implantable devices is commonly practiced today. The
human body is mostly polymers, so selecting polymers based packaging

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materials make sense for bio-packages. Incorporating common plastic engineering material,
like LCP, and automatic injection molding to form micro-channels and ports are an ideal
technology for Bio-MEMS and other advanced devices. The converging paths of micro
technology and biotechnology offer an enticing opportunity that may not require the latest
semiconductor processes in order to make cutting-edge bio devices. The development of
power sources such as BFCs are essential to meet the power requirements of the devices
targeted for biological applications. There exists a possibility in the near future that BFCs
powered by sugar solutions using enzyme coated electrodes to oxidize glucose and another to
reduce oxygen
could have an amazing effect on small, integrated power sources.46 BFCs are ideal for implant
applications because they do not require recharging. Typically, the expected longevity of
power sources for implantable devices is>5 years. Additional desirable features include
smaller size and capacity to provide information on their status in response to an outside query.
The best method to power implantable devices is using harvested energy from natural sources;
examples include the sodium and potassium gradients across cell membranes; oxygen
gradients within the body; or light harvesting implants based on mitochondrial chylomicrons
and the very efficient photosynthetic organelles in green plants. Biological systems are unique
and utilize highly efficient nanostructures to do things differently. The future holds for
development of systems that can convert chemical energy into mechanical motion using
nanometer proteins with appropriate synthesis for energy conversion. Enzymes are the
dynamic catalytic Nano machines in living organisms to run all synthetic, energy conversion
(metabolic) and animation processes (growth, reproduction, locomotion). The challenge posed
here is how to integrate all the pieces together to design a workable Nano machine that is
capable of performing a specific task, have an integrated BFC power source for longer
operation time, and the capacity to respond to the external queries. A long road is ahead for
developing acceptable and workable solutions for BFC powered devices. The primary function
of the device packaging is to provide mechanical support, electrical interconnection between
the package and the device, protect the device from environment, and serve as a joining
structure to the next level system integration. In addition, the package as a whole must provide
qualities such as ease of handling and assembly, standardization, testability, thermal
management, electrical performance, and cost. The device packaging has always

28
been a challenge from the start for the microelectronics industry and it continues to be the hurdle
even today. This challenge is becoming a major roadblock as the technology is progressing
towards nanoscale devices. The device packaging has been plagued by higher cost, device
miniaturization, and shrinking board real estate, identifying a process that is reliable and com-
partible with various materials used in the electronic packaging. Due to these shortcomings,
commercialization of the product to the market place is being controlled by the given set of
packaging requirements. For example, the advancement of the Micro Electro Mechanical
Systems (MEMS) is primarily derailed by the issues related to their packaging. The packaging
issues associated with BFCs will also have to address some of these bottlenecks to emerge into
a viable solution as a power source for the implantable biomedical devices.

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 ADVANTAGES

A significant advantage that bio-batteries have in comparison to other batteries is their ability
to allow an instant recharge. In other words, through a constant supply of sugar, or glucose,
bio batteries are able to continuously keep themselves charged without an external power
supply with high fuel flexibility like sugar, alcohol, diesel, ethanol, blood etc. Other
advantages include high energy density, size/weight, instant recharge, flexible shape,
renewable biocatalysts, room temperature operation, readily available fuel source. It can be an
implantable power source with flexible paper based prototypes. This is a Government and
IR&D funded research Since 2004. Bio batteries are also a source of non-flammable, and non-
toxic fuel. This provides a clean alternative renewable power source.

Fig. 5.1: Different fuels used in Bio batteries

Following are the advantages of Bio Battery:

• It allows instant recharge compare to all the other batteries.
• These batteries keep themselves charged with the help of continuous supply of

30
glucose or sugar. They do not require any external power supply.
• It can be made using readily available fuel.
• It has high energy density.
• It can be used easily at room temperature.
• The flexible paper prototype is used as implantable power source.
• They are used as clean alternate renewable power source due to the fact that they are
source of non-toxic and non-flammable fuel.
• They do not cause any explosions. Hence they are safe to use.
• They do not cause any leakage.

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 APPLICATIONS

 Used as portable charging in cell phones, soldier power etc.

 Used in disaster relief e.g. generators, remote power etc
 Replacing Batteries
 Used in medical implants e.g. pace makers, insulin pumps etc.
 It is also used in toys and greeting cards.

Fig. 6.1: Applications of Bio batteries

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 FUTURE SCOPE

Bio Battery has great potential as a next-generation energy device. Advantages include its
excellent harmony with the environment as a product fueled by a carbohydrate (glucose)
having high energy density. Sony will continue to work toward the commercialization of this
technology in the near future, initially for use in toys and other low-power products.

Bio-batteries have a very bright future ahead of them as test productions and research have
been increasing over recent years. They serve as a new form of energy that is proving tobe
environmentally friendly, as well as successful, in producing and reserving energy. Fully-
integrated demonstrations are to be executed in close collaboration with customer, for relevant
applications.

33
 CONCLUSIONS

The Bio batteries are High performing, stable, and reproducible enzymatic fuel cell technology
developed over last 5 years. The Scaled-up demonstration of Bio- Battery powering electronic
circuit (performed at both Power Sources and Army Science Confs). Fully-integrated Bio-
Battery charging prototypes are already developed. Funding secured from multiple
Department of Defense (DOD) agencies for multiple target applications over the next 3-5
years.

While many exciting announcements have been made in the field of bio- batteries, it may be
some time before we see them replacing nickel-cadmium, lithium- ion or the several other
types of traditional batteries. Even so, the small, flexible, longlasting and environmentally
friendly battery technologies discussed here show the great possibilities researchers see in bio-
batteries, especially for the field of medicine The technology generates electricity by turning
shredded paper into sugar which in turn is used as fuel. If brought to market, their mobile
devices using waste material.

Compared to conventional batteries, such as lithium batteries, bio-batteries are less likely to
retain most of their energy. This causes a problem when it comes to long term usage and
storage of energy for these batteries. However, researchers are continuing to develop the
battery in order to make it a more practical replacement for current batteries and sources of
energy.

The bio-batteries are environmentally friendly as they did not use harmful chemicals or
metals.With that in mind, scientists seem to be exploring every possible option in bio-battery
and fuel-cell technology.

They serve as a new form of energy that is proving to be environmentally friendly, as well as
successful, in producing and reserving energy. Although the batteries are still being tested
before being commercially sold, several research teams and engineers are working to further
advance the development of these batteries.

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