Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have announced the creation of a battery utilizing mushrooms, a groundbreaking venture into microbial fuel cells. This innovative approach leverages the metabolic processes of two distinct fungi types to generate electrical energy. At the anode, a yeast fungus metabolizes sugar, releasing electrons in the process. Conversely, a white rot fungus at the cell's opposite end produces an enzyme that captures these electrons, facilitating their external conduction.
Empa researchers elucidate, "Like all living organisms, microorganisms convert nutrients into energy. Microbial fuel cells make use of this metabolism and capture part of the energy as electricity." They further reveal the novelty of their approach, stating, "For the first time, we have combined two types of fungi to create a functioning fuel cell." Despite not specifying the electricity output, Empa acknowledges the generated power is modest but sufficient for low-energy applications such as operating a temperature sensor for several days, a tool prevalently utilized in agriculture and environmental research.
The mushroom battery's standout feature, as highlighted by Empa, is its non-toxic and biodegradable nature, allowing it to self-dissolve post-usage. The integral incorporation of mushrooms into the fuel cell from the onset is emphasized, with 3D printing techniques employed to optimize electrode structuring for efficient nutrient access by the microorganisms. The pursuit of enhancing the mushroom battery's efficiency and longevity, alongside the exploration of other fungi variants as potential electricity sources, is ongoing among researchers.
Source: Anadolu Ajansi