“Blood Batteries” By Brandon Brunelle

What is it? An energy source that can run off of an array of electrolytes including bodily fluids.. safe ultrathin flexable durable

Needs The goal is to build a hybrid of a battery and super capacitor in one entity. Super capacitor: Large discharge Electrolytes; either aqueous or solid, are used to separate plates. Battery Electro chemical cells used to store and convert chemical energy

Technology Nanocomposite paper (CNT cellulose–RTIL) Multiwalled nanatubules(MWNT) are grown on silicon substrate. Plant cellulose dissolved in RTIL is infiltrated into MWNT The resulting film is cleaned using ethanol and then set on dry ice to remove ethanol. On the order of 10 microns thick. Remarkable bending and twisting ability without deformation Cellulose is randomly porous anywhere between 45 and 55nm between pores. Pore density can be increased or decreased.

Design MWNTs serve the purpose of electrodes. Cellulose acts as the insulator RTIL as the self sustaining electrolyte Two nanocomposites are used to create supercapacitor

Results Record breaking operating temperature of 195K- 423K Different aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes were used. Device was tested at 77K The device was found to work when compounds such sweat and blood were used as the electrolyte Development of flexible lithium ion battery was also designed.

Conclusion Uninteruptable durable energy source Can be adapted to operate medical devices Cost effective Good future ahead

Sources Published online before print August 15, 2007, doi: /pnas PNAS August 21, 2007 vol. 104 no ent=blood- battery.htm&url= artcenterkey= ent=blood- battery.htm&url= artcenterkey=2280