Sony Develops Bio Battery

Sony has developed a bio battery that generates electricity from sugar using enzymes as its catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living organisms. Test cells of this bio battery have achieved 50mW, currently the world’s highest level for passive-type bio batteries. This output is sufficient to power music play back on a memory-type Walkman.

The company developed a system of breaking down sugar to generate electricity that involves efficiently immobilizing enzymes and the mediator (electronic conduction materials) while retaining the activity of the enzymes at the anode. Sony also developed a new cathode structure which efficiently supplies oxygen to the electrode while ensuring that the appropriate water content is maintained. Optimizing the electrolyte for these two technologies has enabled these output levels to be reached.

Sony will continue its development of immobilization systems, electrode composition and other technologies in order to further enhance power output and durability, with the aim of realizing practical applications for these bio batteries in the future.