The world has a love affair with batteries. Batteries have allowed us to cut the cords and be movers and shakers. Batteries have made kids’ toys educational, musical, flashing and yes, even sometimes annoying. The invention of batteries has brought up new options but we now realize new environmental challenges as well.
Nickel-cadmium based batteries shouldn’t be disposed of carelessly, yet they are the standard among rechargeable batteries, which were intended to reduce battery waste. Many products, including power tools, are almost exclusively powered by nickel-cadmium batteries.
The other option, lead-acid batteries, propose disposal problems too. Most car batteries are lead-acid batteries. As convenient as batteries are, they are not eco-friendly. Batteries can and should be recycled but even recycling has a cost. It takes up to ten times the energy to reclaim metals from batteries as from other materials.
Will our old batteries be replaced soon?
A scientist in Taiwan hopes so. Chungpin Havering Liao, a professor at the Graduate School of Electro-Optic Material Science of national Formosa University, announced this month the invention of the world’s first chlorophyll organic battery by colleagues and students of the University. (It appears others have been working on the Chlorophyll battery for some time, however. The professor also shared that he is in the process of applying for patents in Taiwan, the United States and other countries for the new chlorophyll organic battery invention and believes mass production in the near future is realistic.
How does the chlorophyll organic battery work?
The chlorophyll organic battery can supply electricity within 10 seconds of being wetted. Yes, that’s right-wetted. Wetted with what? It doesn’t seem to matter whether the wetness comes from water, beverages or even urine. Professor Liao claims that once the chlorophyll organic battery is wet it can supply power for two days to a week at a time.
How does it compare to an ordinary battery?
The strength of the chlorophyll organic battery is currently about half of an ordinary battery.
How does it compare to Japan’s water-powered fuel cells?
The chlorophyll organic battery has a larger storage capacity than Japan’s water-powered fuel cells.
Will these batteries be expensive?
The group claims that production of the batteries would cost the equivalent of $.03 to $.06.
Is it green? It seems so. Professor Liam says that the chlorophyll organic battery contains no toxins and will pose no environmental threats even if it is simply discarded.
Incandescent bulbs are out.
What’s next? A battery ban? (We’d like to see it if these chlorophyll batteries can be improved and produced more rapidly/safely.)
As environmental awareness shines brighter and green voices are being heard, old and earth damaging technologies are being given the boot. Fluorescent light bulbs are replacing incandescent as over 40 countries, including the United States ,have implemented a phase out ban of energy wasting incandescent. Many countries have eliminated the use of plastic bags for shopping. Will chlorophyll organic batteries replace modern batteries by giving them a run for their money or will there simply be a boot out of the “old” technology?
For now it’s still recharging and recycling. While we may very well see chlorophyll organic batteries on the market in the future, for now, buying and using less, using rechargeable batteries when possible, and always recycling rather than dumping old batteries are our best options.
For information on how to properly dispose of your batteries, read, A Guide to Proper Battery Disposal
