Biodegradable Air Batteries Power Agricultural Advances with Minimal Waste
Outcome/Accomplishment
The Internet of Things (IoT)—networks of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity—offers great advantages to agriculture. However, their operation produces a large waste stream with a growing environmental impact. To address this problem, researchers at the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag) Engineering Research Center (ERC) have developed long-lasting biodegradable batteries made of environmentally safe materials. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the NSF IoT4Ag ERC is headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania.
Impact/Benefits
The biodegradable zinc–air batteries are designed to power small sensors, such as those used in precision agriculture. These batteries are made from environmentally safe materials, including a zinc anode, a hydrogel electrolyte, and an air cathode, which together enable an electrochemical reaction where zinc is consumed and oxygen from the air is reduced, generating electricity. To protect and extend battery life, the researchers also created a protective wax coating and tested different corrosion-control formulations. Importantly, the batteries functioned not just in air but also when buried in soil. These results suggest that biodegradable batteries could provide a sustainable energy source for future IoT systems without contributing to long-term electronic waste.
Explanation/Background
This project was a multi-year effort in which researchers developed biodegradable zinc–air batteries ranging in size from a coin-sized “large cell” to a kernel-sized “corn cell.” In testing, the large cells delivered 10–50 milliwatts per centimeter squared (mW per cm2) of power and operated for 15 to 340 days, while the smaller corn cells provided 6.5–7.5 mW per cm² for 7 to 82 days. The batteries were also successfully used to power field-deployed active sensors over entire growing seasons, enabling high-resolution environmental data collection.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniawebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The Internet of Things (IoT)—networks of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity—offers great advantages to agriculture. However, their operation produces a large waste stream with a growing environmental impact. To address this problem, researchers at the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag) Engineering Research Center (ERC) have developed long-lasting biodegradable batteries made of environmentally safe materials. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the NSF IoT4Ag ERC is headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniawebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
The biodegradable zinc–air batteries are designed to power small sensors, such as those used in precision agriculture. These batteries are made from environmentally safe materials, including a zinc anode, a hydrogel electrolyte, and an air cathode, which together enable an electrochemical reaction where zinc is consumed and oxygen from the air is reduced, generating electricity. To protect and extend battery life, the researchers also created a protective wax coating and tested different corrosion-control formulations. Importantly, the batteries functioned not just in air but also when buried in soil. These results suggest that biodegradable batteries could provide a sustainable energy source for future IoT systems without contributing to long-term electronic waste.
Explanation/Background
This project was a multi-year effort in which researchers developed biodegradable zinc–air batteries ranging in size from a coin-sized “large cell” to a kernel-sized “corn cell.” In testing, the large cells delivered 10–50 milliwatts per centimeter squared (mW per cm2) of power and operated for 15 to 340 days, while the smaller corn cells provided 6.5–7.5 mW per cm² for 7 to 82 days. The batteries were also successfully used to power field-deployed active sensors over entire growing seasons, enabling high-resolution environmental data collection.