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How Sweet: Sugar-charged Laptop Batteries

How Sweet: Sugar-charged Laptop Batteries

by , 1:15 PM EDT, March 26th, 2007

The power sources in our laptops, cellphones, iPods, and other electronic devices may have a sweet future: rechargeable batteries that run on sugar. Researchers at Saint Louis University in Missouri are testing batteries that run on sugar and have the potential to last up to four times longer than lithium ion batteries, according to PhysOrg.com.

Electrochemist Shelley Minteer, Ph.D., is heading up the project and notes that in addition to running on nearly any sugar source, the batteries are also biodegradable. "It demonstrates that by bridging biology and chemistry, we can build a better battery that's also cleaner for the environment," she said.

The batteries work in a similar fashion to living organisms by using enzymes to break down sugar into energy - in this case, electricity. Once the sugar supply is depleted, users simply add a new sugar source, like plant sap or sugar water, and the battery recharges.

Dr. Minteer expects that sugar-based batteries will first show up as portable cell phone battery rechargers, and later make their way into portable electronic devices replacing the potentially toxic batteries used today.

Should the testing and technology refinement continue to show improvement, sugar-based batteries could be ready for commercial use in the next three to five years.

Digg!

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: Uh...oh... [closed captioned for the humor impaired]

What about diabetics?

Should they avoid these batteries or use them in moderate amounts?

Or even test themselves for raised insulin levels?

Guess there are problems already with this newfangled technology...

[Poorly written attempt at joke, playing off the fact that diabetics tend to have problems with sugar.]

Guest, now celebrating his trillionth post...

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Al Gore

Does this mean that for future Hallowe'ens he will be dropping a battery in the trick or treater's bag? Sure beats a mini-Mars bar, huh?

Close Name:Dirt Road Posts: 1239 Joined: 24 Oct 2002
Subject:

Guest, I know you were joking, but the diabetics won't have a problem unless they swallow the battery.

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