China Unveils Breakthrough Bacteria-Powered Battery with 99.5% Efficiency and Self-Charging Capabilities
Scientists push the frontier of sustainable energy with a living, miniaturized battery capable of powering bioelectrical devices and stimulating nerves.
In a major leap forward for sustainable energy technology, scientists in China have unveiled a miniaturized bio-battery powered by living bacteria—achieving a remarkable coulombic efficiency of over 99.5% and up to 10 self-charging cycles. Developed by a team at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this battery leverages the metabolic processes of electroactive microorganisms to generate clean electricity with minimal energy loss.
Published in the journal Advanced Materials, the study presents a compact and portable device engineered using living hydrogels embedded with conductive biofilms. These living materials not only retain electroactive properties but can also be 3D-printed into customized shapes, paving the way for bio-integrated energy devices that can seamlessly power medical systems and wearable electronics.
Bioenergy Meets High Efficiency
At the heart of the innovation is Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a bacterium known for its ability to transfer electrons to external surfaces. Encased in alginate-based hydrogels, these biofilms form the bio-anode of the battery. Paired with a potassium ferricyanide-based cathode and separated by a Nafion ion-exchange membrane, the result is a battery that mimics traditional lithium-ion architecture—but with living materials.
The device was fabricated into a standard 2032 coin-cell battery casing, measuring just 20 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm in height. Despite its size, it demonstrated a maximum power density of 8.31 µW/cm² and a specific energy density of 0.008 Wh/L. While modest in comparison to commercial lithium-ion cells, the researchers emphasize its green credentials: no cobalt, lithium, manganese, or harmful organic solvents are used.
Living Power That Lasts
One of the most promising findings was the bio-battery’s longevity. The bacteria maintained over 70% viability during operation, with viability surging to 97.6% post-use, suggesting exceptional durability and reusability. Over 50 charge-discharge cycles, the system consistently delivered over 99.5% coulombic efficiency, indicating minimal energy degradation.
Beyond energy storage, the researchers demonstrated the device’s ability to precisely control bioelectrical stimulation. By targeting nerves such as the sciatic and vagus, the battery was used to modulate physiological blood pressure signals—an achievement that could unlock new approaches to physical therapy and bioelectronic medicine.
A Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Batteries
This living battery marks a milestone in the development of engineered living materials for real-world energy applications. While the power output remains below that of traditional lithium-based systems, the advantages of sustainability, customization, and biocompatibility make it an attractive platform for future innovations in wearable tech, environmental monitoring, and biomedical stimulation.
“The device demonstrates remarkable electrochemical performance while maintaining high cell viability, presenting a new paradigm in eco-friendly energy generation,” the researchers wrote. “It holds immense potential for portable bioenergy devices and sustainable energy solutions.”
As demand for critical raw materials and concerns over electronic waste intensify, bacteria-powered batteries may represent a scalable and sustainable solution for the next generation of clean energy technologies.
This article contains AI generated content using information from these sources:
Interesting Engineering - https://interestingengineering.com/energy/china-bio-battery-generates-electricity
Wiley - https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.202419249
