Urine-Activated Battery Paper Tested

Physicists in Singapore have succeeded in creating the first paper battery that generates electricity from urine. This new battery could be a power source for cheap, disposable healthcare test-kits for diseases where urine analysis is required, such as diabetes.

The battery unit is made from a layer of paper that is steeped in copper chloride (CuCl) and sandwiched between strips of magnesium and copper. This “sandwich” is then held in place by being laminated, which involves passing the battery unit between a pair of transparent plastic films through a heating roller at 120°C. The battery has dimensions of 60x30mm, and a thickness of just 1mm.

The paper battery is tested and it can deliver a power greater than 1.5mW. In addition, these urine-activated laminated paper batteries could be integrated with bioMEMS devices such as home-based health test kits providing a power source for the electronic circuit.

To download an abstract outlining this research, visit www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0960-1317/15/9/S06