We now live in a world connected by all sorts of gadgets, from computers and thermostats to refrigerators and smartwatches.
However, futurists have bigger ideas. Thanks to cheap computer chips and ubiquitous wireless networks, they envision an "Internet of Things" where almost any object—regardless of size—can feed information to a central database without human intervention.
One question is: how do you power all these sensors so they can perform these tasks? New research from Binghamton University may provide the answer.
In a research report to be published in the journal Nano Energy in June, Seokheun "Sean" Choi—Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Thomas Watson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Director of the Center for Advanced Sensing Technologies and Environmental Sustainability—demonstrates the effectiveness of a newly designed bio-solar cell.
This battery, measuring only 3.5 x 2.4 cm, generates electricity using two types of bacteria. One type is used for photosynthesis, meaning it (like plants) uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into nutrients. The second type of bacteria survives on food, supplying energy to the cells through metabolism and respiration.
Because of their symbiotic relationship, these two bacteria provided four days of power – an improvement compared to similar biofuel-powered batteries that only last a few hours.
Choi said, "This system is a practical, self-sustaining power source suitable for applications that other small microbial fuel cells have not been able to provide until now."
"This device combines all the latest technologies produced by our (Binghamton University) team for more practical applications, including solid-state microfluidic fuel cell technology, co-cultivation systems, and gas-permeable biosolar systems, greatly promoting the autonomy of the resulting biodynamic systems."
He believes this new type of bio-solar cell has potential in the Internet of Single-Use Devices (IoDT), which researchers say will use wireless sensors made of biodegradable paper and plastic to connect short-lived consumer goods. With further optimization, it could power long-term environmental IoT sensing applications.
"Traditional battery technologies have become less practical due to their limited lifespan and environmental impact," Choi said. "Furthermore, battery replacement is extremely expensive and impractical in remote areas. Renewable energy harvesting will play a crucial role in future IoT technologies in order to achieve relatively long-term operation without incurring environmental problems."
This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research (Microbial Electrochemical Systems Program).
