Algae Could Be the Key to Ultra-Thin Biodegradable Batteries | Inhabitat

[Paul D. Fernhout]

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/25/algae-could-be-the-key-to-ultra-thin-biodegradable-batteries/
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Conducting polymers have long been thought to be a solution in developing
lightweight, flexible, nonmetal batteries. But up until now, these polymers
have had been impractical because regular paper can�t hold enough of them
work effectively. Now Uppsala researcher Maria Stromme and her team has
found that the smelly algae species that clumps on beaches, known as
Cladophora, can also be used to make a type of cellulose that has 100 times
the surface area of cellulose found in paper. That means it can hold enough
conducting polymers to effectively recharge and hold electricity for long
amounts of time.
The algae-based paper sheet batteries hold up to 200% more charge than
regular paper-based cellulose batteries, and they can recharge in as little
as 11 seconds. Eventually, they could be used in any application that
requires flexible electronics � for example, clothing or packaging that
lights up. Perhaps most importantly, the algae batteries could one day cut
down on e-waste from conventional metal batteries.
"""

--Paul Fernhout
http://www.pdfernhout.net/