Researchers at Yissum Research Development Company, part of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have announced the creation of a very simple eco-friendly organic battery based on potatoes
The battery includes zinc and copper electrodes and potatoes, which, according to the developers, must be boiled. If the cooking process is neglected, then the battery power will be 10 times lower than it could be. Depending on the conditions of use, a potato battery can last for several weeks or even months.
The indisputable advantage of this unusual battery is that it is very cheap. The cost of electricity generated by a "potato" battery is 50 times lower than, for example, Energizer E91 batteries. It can also be added that the light produced by these batteries is 5 times cheaper than using kerosene lamps, which are popular in developing regions. In addition, potatoes are one of the most common vegetables - they are grown in 130 countries around the world.
“The opportunity to provide themselves with electricity using such simple and natural means can be used by millions of people, literally bringing light and telecommunications to areas where there is currently no electrical infrastructure,” said Yakov Mikhlin, head of Yissum.
Yissum Research Development Company believes that green battery energy can revolutionize the lives of the 1.6 billion people in developing countries who currently lack access to electricity. Yissum technology will be provided free of charge to these countries.