Biobattery

1. 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 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.
Shewanellaoneidensis 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.

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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

1.1 NECESSITY

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 my 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.

Fig: 1.2 Carbon Cycle

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Plants create both carbohydrates and oxygen by photosynthesis from carbon

dioxide and water. Animals takeup 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 metalsin our batteries.

1.2 THEME

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 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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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 are introduced
by force by technique as string, convection. Biobatteries 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.

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2. LITERATURE SURVEY

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.

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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.

2.1 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.

2.2 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.

2.3 BIO BATTERY USING CARBOHYDRATES

Sony Corporation (Japan) has developed a bio-battery with a peak power output
of 50 mW, which could power a portableMP3 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.

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Fig 2.2 An MP3 powered by a Bio battery

2.4 RECENT BIO BATTERIES USING BLOOD AND SWEAT

“ Its 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.

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

2.6 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.

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The bio-battery offers an array of advantages. Due to their simple onstruction 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 Shewanellaoneidensis, 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

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

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

3. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

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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 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.

3.1 WORKING

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

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.

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Fig: 3.3 Elements of a Bio battery

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

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 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.

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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. Nano composite electrodes are
integrated with fuel cell hardware

3.2 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: 3.6 Single Cell Biobattery

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Fig: 3.7 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 apower 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. 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.

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. 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.

Fig:3.8 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

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Fig : 3.9 Sensor and Wireless Transmitter running on a biobattery

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:3.10 15 cell stack bio battery

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.

4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

4.1 ADVANTAGES

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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 an 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.

4.2 DISADVANTAGES

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.

5. APPLICATIONS

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

 Used in medical implants e.g. pace makers, insulin pumps etc.

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 Used in disaster relief e.g. generators, remote power etc.

 It is also used in toys and greeting cards

6. FUTURE SCOPE

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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 to be 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.

7. CONCLUSION

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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,
long lasting 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.

REFERENCES

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[1].Aitham Balathripura and S Rajesh, (2018). Bio-Battery, International Journal &

Magazine of Engineering, Management and Research, Vol. 5, Issue: 3, 136-140

[2].D M Srinivasa, Chandini P R, Harshitha S, Jayasurya J and K Lakshmana,

(2020). Fabrication of Bio-Battery for Home Automation, International Journal
of Innovative Research in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation and Control
Engineering, Vol. 8, Issue 7, 12-16

[3].Dr. Bhaskar . S and Malapuram Sreelekha, (2022). Bio Battery, International

Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science,
Volume: 04, Issue: 07, 1817-1821

[4].Fraiwan A, H. Lee, S. Choi, (2014). A multi-Anode paper-based microbial fuel

cell: A potential power source for disposable biosensors", IEEE Sensors Journal,
Vol. 14, pp. 3385-3390.

[5].H B Asha et.al., (2020). The Future of Energy Bio Battery, International Journal
of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET),
Volume 9, Issue 4, pp.1745-1750

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