Comments on: No Potato, No Problem: Plantain Makes a Sustainable Battery

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:59:00 +0000

Take a look at this video –

http://www.theworld.org/2012/08/how-plantain-trees-could-become-an-energy-source/

It looks like nothing more than a small box (could use plastic) with a piece of copper on one side and a piece of zinc on the other.

It is about the same as a simple battery made with a stack of coins (pennies for the copper and nickles for the zinc) and salt as the electrolyte.

http://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/content/2009/11/make-a-battery-from-coins/

This could be really good technology for people off the grid who have little cash. A simple factory attaching wires to small copper and zinc plates. A manufacturer turning out small plastic boxes.

By: Omesha

Omesha — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:38:00 +0000

Is that Battery cell made only frim Copper & sink?Or are there any other matirial useing it?

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:14:00 +0000

You need to add in the cost (energy and materials) that would be needed to take the grid to places where these very low tech batteries might be utilized. A small metal box is quite easy to ship to people who aren’t likely to see a copper wire coming to their houses for many, many years.
Then add in the decreased use of kerosene for lighting. That’s a lot less CO2 and less soot which can end up speeding the loss of global ice. Some energy spent building the boxes that cuts the use of dirty energy sources.
There’s the health benefits to the users. Not an energy issue, but a value.
Finally, the copper and zinc is highly recyclable. Once a better solution comes along the materials in these very simple batteries can be repurposed.
A better solution would be a mini-solar system like those now being sold/leased in very rural areas. But the capex for these systems is much lower, can be made by local craftsmen who commonly work with sheet metal and may get some clean light to poor people quicker.

By: just me

just me — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:25:00 +0000

The energy from this kind of battery comes from the reaction between the zinc and copper electrode. The amount of energy needed to make the pure materials out of ore (using fossil fuels) is larger than the amount of electric energy released in the operation of the battery. So how is this green or renewable?

By: rahul

rahul — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Wow cool info!!