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New Chinese wearable device turns bacterial metabolism into clean, autonomous electricity
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an innovative biobattery that converts the activity of living microorganisms into electrical energy. With over 99% efficiency and the potential for automatic recharging, the technology represents an unprecedented advance in the field of sustainable energy, according to the portal Interesting Engineering.
Sustainable energy based on living microorganisms
China has just unveiled a breakthrough that could change the way the world produces sustainable energy. Scientists at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have created a biobattery that converts the metabolism of electroactive bacteria into electricity. The main advantage? The device requires no external energy sources to work, it recharges itself, as shown in the report by Interesting Engineering.
This portable biobattery achieved a Coulombic efficiency of over 99,5% in 50 charge and discharge cycles. This means that virtually all of the energy generated by the bacteria is used with minimal losses. In addition, the viability of the microorganisms was maintained at high levels: around 70% activity during operation and 97,6% at the end, which guarantees durability and stability to the system.
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Living materials and 3D printing boost innovation in sustainable energy
The device is constructed with living hydrogels, composed of bacterial biofilms encapsulated in an alginate matrix. These components are precisely molded using 3D printing, maintaining active biological properties, such as electroactivity. This characteristic allows microorganisms to generate and conduct electrons, in addition to promoting the reduction of graphene oxide, an essential element for the proper functioning of the system and fundamental in the production of sustainable energy with low environmental impact.
The study, also published in Cell Reports Physical Science, shows that this bioengineered approach is more than an experiment: it is a viable platform for developing new forms of sustainable energy, especially for applications in biomedical devices and high-precision sensors.
Biobatteries: a promising future for sustainable energy
China’s breakthrough shows that sustainable energy doesn’t have to rely solely on traditional sources like the sun or wind. By harnessing biological processes, such as bacterial metabolism, science is pushing the boundaries of low-carbon energy generation. Biobatteries could serve as the basis for technologies for medical, environmental and even military use, where reliability and autonomy are crucial.
According to the portal ScienceDaily, which also echoed the theme, this type of solution with living materials integrates innovation and environmental responsibility, opening space for biodegradable batteries and safer energy storage systems.
Chinese technology strengthens leadership in green solutions
This project reinforces China's role as a leader in sustainable energy technologies. The integration between biotechnology, 3D printing and materials engineering result in solutions that meet the global demand for cleaner and more efficient energy systems. The biobattery, in this context, shows that it is possible to produce energy from life, literally, and with minimized environmental impacts.
The development of this technology signals a global trend: using nature as an ally to guarantee sustainable and low-cost energy, without compromising environmental balance or depending exclusively on non-renewable resources.
