Batteries are hard to come by now, and it brings a significant shortage in the production of the famous Li-On power cells that affect various industries like electric vehicle production and more. However, there is a new development from researchers that focus on biodegradable zinc batteries from crab shells that would leave no harmful products after use.
Zinc Batteries Made of Crab Shells from University of Maryland
(Photo : Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash)
According to a news release from EurekAlert, the University of Maryland developed a new power cell that sources from one of the most unimaginable sources of electric power, and it is crab shells. The zinc batteries that the researchers developed source the electrolyte known as "Chitin," which is abundant in crab shells.
The biodegradable batteries from the crab shell electrolytes are promising, and it is because it has a 99.7 percent even after 1000 battery cycles. The research team claims that it is a viable storage option for massive power generating plants, including solar farms and wind turbines, that bring sustainable electricity for all, using natural resources.
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Will These New Power Cells be Sustainable?
The research entitled "A sustainable chitosan-zinc electrolyte for high-rate zinc-metal batteries," published via Matter, details the developments by the team, claiming that after use, two-thirds of the batteries will degrade without leaving any harmful products behind.
It presents a significant power source as crab shells, along with shrimp, lobster, insects, and others, are mostly disregarded from food waste. Additionally, it presents a viable source of energy to develop said batteries.
Battery Development Now
Batteries are the primary source of power which the world considers to be one of the most sustainable ones, especially as it brings an alternative way to power most technology now. Before, cars used fuel to make their engines work and bring transportation to all, but now, it relies on a battery to bring power to their drivetrain, which is necessary to its process.
At present, researchers are now coming up with ways to make batteries more sustainable than before, and it even aims to improve on current Lithium Ion batteries that were the focus before. The research claimed that a Lithium Sulfur battery brings three times the power of standard batteries available to the public now, with more energy to use for its operations.
Batteries are not to power small technology anymore, as it is now for massive devices worldwide.
A biodegradable battery is a promising technology, especially for low-capacity power cells that may be used for remote controls, electronic handheld devices, and other equipment that requires electric power. While the University of Maryland is still developing this crab shell battery for the world, it shows significant promises for the future of its applications.
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Written by Isaiah Richard
