Dissolvable battery developed, generates electricity for over 100 mins

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a dissolvable battery powered by probiotics—live microorganisms commonly found in yogurt and health supplements—that can generate electricity for over 100 minutes before harmlessly dissolving into the environment. This innovation addresses a major challenge in transient or bioresorbable electronics, which require power sources that disintegrate without leaving toxic residues. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which contain harmful materials, this biobattery uses a 15-strain probiotic blend on water-soluble or pH-responsive substrates, enabling controlled power delivery ranging from 4 minutes to over 100 minutes. A single module produces 4 µW of power, 47 µA of current, and an open-circuit voltage of 0.65 V. The research team, led by faculty member Choi from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, drew on two decades of work on disposable “papertronics” and biobatteries. They engineered porous, polymer- and nanoparticle-enhanced electrodes to optimize the electrogenic capability of the probiotics, ensuring safe and efficient electricity generation. This breakthrough paves the way for new applications in biomedical implants, environmental sensors, and disposable electronics that require safe, transient power sources. The study highlights the potential for bioenergy systems that dissolve without environmental harm, fulfilling a vision similar to the self-destructing devices popularized in fiction like the Mission: Impossible films.