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Batteries Could Run on Sugar

New Technology Could Cut Risk of Cell Phone, Laptop Fires

By Joseph S. Enoch
ConsumerAffairs.com

March 26, 2007

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Scientists have revealed a sweet alternative to lithium ion batteries: batteries that run on sugar.

Researches from St. Louis University (SLU) say they have developed a fuel cell battery that runs on virtually any source of sugar including tree sap, soft drinks and sugar water. They believe the batteries could provide a charge three to four times longer than lithium ion batteries and may replace those batteries which are now used in many portable devices including laptops, mp3 players and cell phones.

"This study shows that renewable fuels can be directly employed in batteries at room temperature to lead to more energy-efficient battery technology than metal-based approaches," study leader Shelley Minteer, Ph.D., an electrochemist at SLU said in a prepared statement.

Scientists from SLU revealed their findings at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago over the weekend.

The scientists said the batteries are good for the environment because water is the main byproduct.

"It demonstrates that by bridging biology and chemistry, we can build a better battery that's also cleaner for the environment," Minteer said in the statement.

One of the major concerns with lithium ion batteries is their propensity to overheat and on rare occasions, catch fire and explode. This was highlighted this past summer with the recall of more than 10 million Sony-made laptop batteries.

But Minteer told ConsumerAffairs.com that her batteries pose no fire risk.

Minteer has successfully tested the technology by running a calculator with a battery the size of a postage stamp. So far flat soft drinks, tree sap, glucose and sweetened drink mixes have powered the calculator. Minteer said she has had the most promising results from table sugar dissolved in water.

Although Minteer is not the first to develop a battery that runs on sugar, she said hers is the longest-lasting and most powerful type to date.

If research continues to show promise, the battery could be ready for commercialization in 3-5 years Minteer said.

Consumers are not the only ones to potentially benefit from this technology. The study, which the U.S. Department of Defense funded, may develop a portable energy source for troops on the battlefield who may have limited access to technology. The batteries could potentially be recharged by adding sugar or sap from trees or even cacti.

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