Produce rechargeable batteries of plant origin

Researchers at Harvard University have successfully created a plant-based rechargeable battery that stores energy instead of metal. This is a breakthrough that opens up new prospects for exploring more efficient renewable energy sources.

The researchers said the batteries they produced were derived from naturally occurring compounds, and in particular a small amount of organic compounds called "Quinone" - a compound that can be easily synthesized. from trees. At present, scientists have created Quinone molecules from Rheum officinale. Normal batteries use metal electrolyte between two poles to store energy. Instead of using metal rods, new batteries use Quinone as an electrolyte to store electricity efficiently and inexpensively.

Rechargeable batteries use organic fluid at the Aziz Laboratory in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University. (Photo: SEAS)

According to estimates by scientists at MIT, the cost of charging 1kWh of electricity for conventional batteries is $ 700, while the new technology costs $ 27. Moreover, thanks to the use of Quinone organic solution as an electrolyte, new batteries can store energy with high efficiency and great safety. The US Department of Energy says it will be a revolution in the field of renewable energy.

Lead researcher Michael J. Aziz said: "Previous renewable energies such as solar and wind power still struggle to store energy. This is a way to exploit cleaner energy sources and to reduce the dependence of people on fossil fuels in the future. "