Sony Develops A Bio Battery Powered By Sugar

Sony has developed a biologically-friendly battery that generates electricity from sugar in a similar way found in living organisms.

Battery test cells have generated up to 50 milli-watts, or enough electricity to power music playback on a memory-type Walkman. Sony said in a statement released in Japan Thursday that the output is the highest for a bio battery of this type.

The battery generates electricity through the use of enzymes that breakdown carbohydrates, which is essentially, sugar. Sony has increased battery output by efficiently immobilizing enzymes and the electronic conduction materials, while retaining enzyme activity at the anode, an electrode through which positive electric current flows into a polarized device.

Sony also developed a new structure for the cathode, which is an electrode through which positive current flows out of a polarized electrical device. The new structure efficiently supplies oxygen to the cathode while ensuring that appropriate water content is maintained to optimize enzyme activity and the flow of electricity.