Biodegradable Batteries

Batteries are generally tossed out after use, even though many contain hazardous materials. Thus there is a need to identify materials which might substitute for hazardous materials in batteries. Since the trend is towards new and more efficient power sources, material substitutions must be done without sacrificing energy or power density. The proposed approach utilizes a combination of conductive polymers enclosed in a biodegradable case. Through computer modeling, electrically and ionically conductive structures are first identified as promising. These are then synthesized and their chemical and electrochemical properties compared with predictions. Demonstration of the degradation of the better choices of battery anode, cathode and electrolyte materials is achieved through following their degradation experimentally when the proposed biodegradable battery is tested in natural seawater.