Now, a 'bio battery' that runs on waste paper

Updated on: Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Scientists have developed a "bio battery" which generates energy by digesting waste paper.

The eco-friendly battery, created by researchers at electronic giant Sony, uses a special enzyme called cellulose to convert paper into glucose needed to produce electricity. Cellulose will serve as a catalyst so that it can be used multiple times, the researchers said.

In 2007, Sony demonstrated a Walkman that used a similar bio battery that generated electricity by "digesting" food, just like humans do. But a new demonstration at Eco-Products 2011 in Tokyo shows off a much more useful product, the Daily Mail reported.

The company claims that the paper-powered battery can generate electricity up to 18wh which is enough to power a (very) small fan. The process is much more like the action of a digestive system, said Chisato Kitsukawa, a public relations manager at Sony. "This is the same mechanism with which termites eat wood to get energy," Kitsukawa was quoted as saying.

The company's bio batteries are now so advanced that the company showed off one thin enough to fit inside a greetings card alongside the paper-digesting battery. It uses fruit juice for fuel, and can generate enough power to play a melody from inside the car.

However, the technology is a long way from commercial viability because of its low power output, Kitsukawa said. It is currently sufficient to run digital music players but not powerful enough to replace commonly used batteries, he added.

Now, a 'bio battery' that runs on waste paper

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