Scientists are currently working on all sort of technologies to create electricity more efficiently and more portably if possible. So far we have fuel cells, solar cell roads, carbon-carbon batteries, solar panels with crystal balls and aluminum-air batteries among other types. But let’s not forget about even “greener” ways of putting electrons on the move...
Like algae cultures. We know bio-fuel can be made out of these sea-water-loving creatures, but scientists also discovered a way in making them create electricity, thus we present you the algae-battery.
This must be the greenest way to get electricity; literally! And Adam Freeman along with his alGAS company are responsible for creating these wonders, but will they solve our commuting problems?
Although they look like those jars filled with all sorts of creatures from the biology class, the “living batteries” are said to be 200 times more energy-dense than our current lithium-ion counterparts. And since they contain a plant, it’s a self-maintaining, non-polluting and even oxygen-generating piece of technology.
Freeman explained that paper-thin fibers contained by the algae make for an easier surface for ions to get through, which translates in charging times of around 11 seconds. Unlike other algae-based batteries studies so far, his concept uses a special bio-safe polymer, which is a critical ingredient that binds the fibers to cause a better interaction with electron charge.
All sounds perfect so far, but how would these fit in a car? They will obviously need sunlight to survive or at least neons, so will this mean that our cars must change their shape to allow those jars to be hit by sunlight?
This must be the greenest way to get electricity; literally! And Adam Freeman along with his alGAS company are responsible for creating these wonders, but will they solve our commuting problems?
Although they look like those jars filled with all sorts of creatures from the biology class, the “living batteries” are said to be 200 times more energy-dense than our current lithium-ion counterparts. And since they contain a plant, it’s a self-maintaining, non-polluting and even oxygen-generating piece of technology.
Freeman explained that paper-thin fibers contained by the algae make for an easier surface for ions to get through, which translates in charging times of around 11 seconds. Unlike other algae-based batteries studies so far, his concept uses a special bio-safe polymer, which is a critical ingredient that binds the fibers to cause a better interaction with electron charge.
All sounds perfect so far, but how would these fit in a car? They will obviously need sunlight to survive or at least neons, so will this mean that our cars must change their shape to allow those jars to be hit by sunlight?