Scientists have developed a new bio-battery that can be fuelled by your spit. The battery looks similar to paper and can be activated by saliva, and even other bodily fluids.

The battery was created by researchers at Binghamton University. Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi who is a part of the team that created the battery stated that it is the world’s first paper based bio-battery ‘activated by bodily fluids.’

“We have developed a disposable, easy-to-use, and portable bio battery that can generate power from bacterial metabolism” “This battery is ready to operate with human body fluids like saliva for on-demand power generation for other disposable low-power applications, such as biosensors. The battery includes specialized bacterial cells called exoelectrogens, which have the ability to harvest electrons externally to the outside electrode. For long-term storage, the bacterial cells are freeze-dried until use. This battery can be used even in challenging environmental conditions like desert areas. All you need is an organic matter — such as saliva — to rehydrate and activate the freeze-dried cells.”


Currently, the battery allows users to power one LED bulb for 20 minutes with a drop of spit. The researchers believe that the technology will have wide applications, especially in low-power consuming products. They are working on improving the technology further. The device could be used to power pregnancy tests, HIV tests, glucose sensors, as well as other medical devices. The new technology could be used in developing countries where people can't afford conventional batteries.

“We are improving the power to have more applications,” Choi added. “Folding or stacking paper batteries will connect them in series or parallel for further power enhancement. This could allow the researchers to expand the power of the batteries from a few microwatts into hundreds, or conceivably more.”
Choi added that the batteries could be linked together to deliver more power to larger devices. He said, “The beauty of using paper is that you can easily fold and stack them to connect the batteries in series or in parallel to improve the performance.”

Source http://www.focusngr.com/posts/scientists-develop-bio-battery-powered-by-spit/

kul. while Nigerians are busy fighting each other,others are busy discovering new things............I doubt if we'll ever catch up with the developed world.