Abstract

In todays world Electricity is considered as an integral utility. We can never ever

think of our lives without machines. Thus electricity plays a vital role in functioning
of the society. One of the portable and convenient sources of this electrical energy
is a Battery. Battery is the basic yet most powerful part of any device. Thus a bio
battery is an energy storing device that is powered by organic compounds. BioBattery generates electricity from renewable fuels providing a sustained, ondemand portable power source. By using enzymes to break down organic
compounds, bio-batteries directly receive energy from them. Bio-batteries are
alternative energy devices based on bio-electro catalysis of natural substrates by
enzymes or microorganisms. This paper brings out an alternative solution to the
conventional batteries which is not only a boon to the environment by being eco
friendly but also it is an end to worries about non renewable and vanishing
sources of energy.
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 bio-molecules such as enzymes or even whole
living organism to catalyze oxidation of bio mass-based materials for generating
electrical energy. [1]

Fig -1: A Bio Battery

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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.
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 [2]
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 harmthe 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.
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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.[3]
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
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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 worlds highest power output
of 50 mW*2.

Fig -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 naturaldiffusion. In active type system the reactive substance are
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.
2. 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
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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 -4: 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) theelectrons
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 biofuel.
2.2.1 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.
2.2.2 The Micro Fluidic BFC:
Lim and Pal more at the Brown University have reported a micro fluidic BFC with
many channels connected in parallel In this configuration, the design allows
streams of fuel and oxidant to flow in parallel within a micro channel without
using a membrane as a separator and showing a power density >25 uW/sqcm.
Several potential applications of BFCs have been reported or proposed in the
literature for implantable devices, remote sensing and communication devices as a
sustainable and renewable power source. However, there are no BFC design
formats or templates that allow for theproduction of a working device with a size
on the order of 1 cc, which are needed for several real world applications.
2.2.3 Enzyme Based Bio Battery:
Enzyme based BFC is very attractive, however it has been shown that electron
flow is too slow to make a viable fuel cell. This is due to the difficulty for enzymes
to attain direct electrical contact with the electrodes of the cell and catalyze
reactions effectively.
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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. Sony has
focused on these advantages since 2001 and has developed an electrical power
generation device that uses mechanisms similar to those in living organisms.
2.2.4 Bio battery using Human Blood
In 2003, Japanese researchers at Panasonic's Nanotechnology Research Laboratory
announced that they were working on extracting power from blood glucose. At the
time, they were using enzymes -- a frequent component of bio-batteries due to their
catalytic properties -- to retrieve electrons from glucose. Two years later, a
different Japanese research team, this one from Tohoku University, announced that
they had succeeded in creating a small "biological fuel cell." Their cell could be
used to power small medical devices, such as an implant to measure blood sugar
levels in diabetics. Future versions of such technology could, like RPI's
nanocomposite paper, be used to power an artificial heart with the blood that flows
through and around it.
2.2.5 Bio battery using Human Urine
In August 2005, scientists in Singapore developed a battery that uses human urine
as its fuel. Despite its potentially off-putting power source, the battery has a wide
variety of applications. The researchers said that their device was the size of a
credit card and could form the basis of inexpensive, disposable disease-testing kits.
(Urine is already used to detect drugs and some diseases.) What makes the device
particularly useful is that it integrated the battery and testing device into one
disposable chip. Imagine a one-time use home-testing kit for diseases like cancer
or hepatitis. One of the researchers involved in the project said that the battery
could also be adapted to provide a brief charge to other electronic devices. A lost
hiker might use one to power a cell phone for a short emergency call.[4] 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
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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.

2.2.6 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.

Fig -5: An Mp3 powered by a Bio battery

2.2.7 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.

2.2.8 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.
2.2.9 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
withone difference. The MFC consists of two separate units, the 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 where
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.[5]
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 -6: 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 sights on constructing a bio-battery making use of the bacteria
Escherichia coli to convert glucose into energy.
3. 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:
GlucoseGluconolactone+2H+ + 2e
The hydrogen ion migrates to the cathode through the separator. Once at the
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cathode, the hydrogen ions and electrons absorb oxygen from the air to produce
O2 +4H+ +4e 2H2O

Fig -7: 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.

3.2 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.

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Fig -8: 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
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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 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 -10: Enzymes used to convert sugar directly into electricalenergy

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Fig -11: 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 hardware.

Fig -12: Nanocomposite electrodes integrated with fuel cellhardware

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.
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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
andtransfer 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.
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 sulfur, arsenic, antimony or chlorine.
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 bio-fuel 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 nanometer scale. A
nanometer 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 centimeters
15

\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 develop for functionalizing CNTs 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-13:Comparison of random and site-selectivefunctionalization 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 nanodevice
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 biomolecular structures in a single chip.

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It is therefore necessary to go beyond the random attachment paradigm to one that

allows control over the location of biomolecular 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 orcontrollably altered, and the integrity of other chip components are not
compromised or destroyed during device fabrication.
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 -14: Single Cell Bio

Battery

Fig -15: Six Cell Bio battery

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Graph 1: Performance of a single and six cell Bio batteryprototype

The single cell type bio battery prototype has a power density of approximately 10
miliwat 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 +55C (results from 6 test
cells). Significant increase over enzyme in free solution (denatured at 40C).. This
storage an d operating performance is shown in the graphs below.

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Graph 3: Temperature Vs Current density of battery

The bio battery Shows robust, repeatable, and reliable performance and stable
operation from -30C 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.

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Fig -16: 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 -17 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.

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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.

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 an Government and
IR&D funded research Since 2004 . Bio batteries are also a source of nonflammable, and non-toxic fuel. This provides a clean alternative renewable power
source.[9]
Future Scope
Improved design and performance leads to 50X higher volumetric power density
over existing prototype .The longer-term goal in this area is to further enhance
performance to ultimately develop batteries suitable for notebook computers and
other mobile devices. While many technological challenges still remain, 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
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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.

Applicatications

Bio batteries find applications in various fields like Miltary and commercial
applications,Medicalfield,ConsumerElectronics.InMiltary applications it is used
for Soldier portable power, unmanned chem/bio detection (large insects), MAVs,
remote surveillance (tree-sap),etc.

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Fig -21: Miltary application of Bio battery

In medical field Paper bio battery could be used to power medical devices like
hearing aid & pacemakers Sony used its sugar bio battery to power music play
back on a memory type walkman. Using a miniature bio battery enabled to test the
blood insulin level of diabetic patient.The bio batteries can be implanted in on any
living body for the purpose of medical devices implantation or sensing application
etc.Bio Battery can be used to power ISR functions and recharge battery. Power
source for next generation helmets, with integrated sensors containing flexible bio
battery integrated onto helmet Thus this bio battery have made itself useful for
numerous applications keeping the environment safe and intact with its advantages
and hence it can be called as The fuel of Next generation.
Conclusion
The Bio batteries are High performing, stable, and reproducible enzymatic fuel cell
technology developed over last 5 years. The Scaled-up demonstration of BioBattery 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,
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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,the innovation could allow
the public to top up the power of 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
[1] Bio Battery" Sony Corporation, Feb 2011.
[2] Bio-Batteries and Bio-Fuel Cells: Leveraging on Electronic Charge Transfer
Proteins, IEEE 2008.
[3] Sony's bio battery turns waste paper into electricity BBC.
[4] Bio-Battery: Clean, Renewable Power Source ,CFD Research Corporation.
Retrieved, 17 October 2012. IEEE 2013.
[5] Cellose based batteries Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Aug 2012
[9] Clean Electricity from Bacteria Researchers Make Breakthrough in Race
to Create 'Bio-Batteries', IEEE 2013.
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