A new rechargeable battery has been developed that is made from fully edible substances and can dissolve safely in the stomach.
The battery can power tiny electronics and devices, ranging from edible circuits and sensors that can monitor health conditions to sensors for monitoring food storage conditions. It is also safe enough to be used in children’s toys. The battery is made from various ingredients, including riboflavin for the anode, quercetin for the cathode, nori for the separator, and activated charcoal for increased electrical conductivity.
Although the battery needs to be outside the body to be recharged, it maintains its charge well over dozens of cycles. The prototype is around a square centimeter, but the team is already working on making it smaller.
The battery has potential applications in medical devices, such as those used for scans and food quality monitoring. While it won’t power electric cars, the battery’s development inspires other scientists to build safer batteries for a sustainable future.