SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

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SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
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In the Near Future, YOU might be an alternative
fuel source
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Before you flush your toilet, consider this

• Scientists in the Asian country of Singapore have
  created a battery powered by urine!

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Urine Power

• The scientists were making computer biochips to
  test urine for diseases like diabetes.
• The problem was, they didnt have batteries small
  enough to power the chips!

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Biochips

• Diagnostic test kits, or biochips, commonly
  analyze the chemical composition of a person's
  urine to detect an illness.
• But small, efficient and inexpensive batteries to
  power the devices remained hard to find.

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Light bulb!

• Then the researchers realized that the substance
  being tested with the biochips (the urine) could
  power the battery!

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How can urine power a battery?

• Urine contains negatively charged particles
  called ions.
• Ions are capable of carrying an electrical
  charge, resulting when an ionically bonded solute
  is dissolved in a solvent. In solution ions can
  conduct electricity.

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Biofluid Battery

• The battery consists of a piece of paper soaked
  in copper chloride, surrounded by two strips of
  metal and protected by a plastic covering. A drop
  of urine enters the battery through a tiny slit,
  and a chemical reaction occurs that produces
  electricity.

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How much power does the urine have?

• The urine battery can generate the same energy as
  a regular AA battery (1.5 volts) and run for
  about 1.5 hours.
• Researchers say the power and lifetime of the
  battery can be improved.

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Still more?

• Other body fluids such as blood, tears, and
  saliva can also create the same power!
• For example, one could power a cell phone with
  saliva during an emergency.

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In the Future

• There are many applications for the biodegradable
  biofluid batteries.
• One day, the battery technology will be able to
  accomplish all sorts of things, such as powering
  laptop computers, televisions, ipods, even cars!