A groundbreaking fungal battery offers an eco-friendly power source that biodegrades after use, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions.
Key Points at a Glance
- Researchers have developed a 3D-printed fungal battery powered by living microorganisms.
- The biodegradable biobattery generates enough power to sustain sensors for agricultural and environmental research.
- It uses two types of fungi, one producing electrons and the other enabling conduction.
- Once its work is complete, the battery can degrade itself from the inside.
In a remarkable leap toward sustainable energy, researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have unveiled a fungal battery powered by living microorganisms. Unlike conventional batteries that rely on toxic materials and complicated disposal methods, this biobattery biodegrades itself when its work is done.
This innovation, supported by the Gebert Rüf Stiftung, opens up exciting possibilities for applications like agricultural and environmental sensors in remote areas, where traditional energy solutions are impractical.
Fungi, known for their ecological versatility, are at the heart of this microbial fuel cell. The design features two species of fungi working in harmony: a yeast fungus on the anode side generates electrons through its metabolism, while a white rot fungus on the cathode side produces enzymes that enable the conduction of electricity.
“We’ve essentially built a system where the metabolisms of these fungi complement each other, creating a functional power source,” said Carolina Reyes, an Empa researcher.
The fungi aren’t merely added to the battery after construction. Instead, they are an integral part of the 3D-printed structure, embedded into a cellulose-based ink that serves as a scaffold for their growth.
The innovative fungal battery is not charged in the traditional sense. Instead, it requires feeding with simple sugars to power its processes. Stored in a dried state, the battery can be activated on-site by adding water and nutrients, making it ideal for deployment in remote areas.
Producing the fungal battery posed unique challenges. Researchers had to craft a printing ink that allowed fungal cells to thrive while maintaining conductivity and biodegradability. The cellulose-based ink met these requirements, even doubling as a nutrient source for the fungi after the battery’s useful life.
While the current fungal battery generates only a modest amount of electricity—enough to power a temperature sensor for several days—the research team is optimistic about improving its efficiency and lifespan. They are also exploring other fungal species to expand its capabilities.
“Fungi remain underexplored in materials science, yet they hold immense promise,” noted Reyes and her colleague Gustav Nyström, head of Empa’s Cellulose and Wood Materials lab.
This living, self-degrading battery exemplifies the fusion of microbiology, materials science, and electrical engineering, offering a glimpse into a future where sustainable and biodegradable power sources become the norm.
