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   A self-destructing, 3D printed fungi-based battery could one day power    
   sensors all around you by feasting on sugar   
      
   Date:   
   Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:34:00 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   The microbial fuel cell is only able to generate tiny amounts of electricity   
   for now.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Fungi have fascinated scientists for decades - centuries, probably. There are   
   roughly 200,000 known species across the planet, they are more closely    
   related to animals than plants, the largest organism in the world is a    
   fungus, and some can glow in the dark. If youve watched or played The Last of   
   Us, youll know the parasitic Cordyceps fungus infects its host by colonizing   
   and consuming its body (admittedly, in the real world, it takes over insects   
   and wont be invading humans any time soon).    
      
   Through a three-year project supported by the Gebert Rf Stiftungs Microbials   
   funding program, researchers at Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for    
   Materials Science and Technology) have found a novel use for fungi - as    
   theyve developed a 3D-printed, biodegradable fuel cell that requires feeding   
   rather than charging.    
      
   Although the fungal battery (technically its a microbial fuel cell rather    
   than a battery per se) produces only modest amounts of electricity, Empa says   
   it can sustain devices such as temperature sensors for several days.   
      
   3D printed battery   
      
   Microbial fuel cells work by harnessing the metabolism of living organisms to   
   produce electricity. In the past, this was done with bacteria. Empas   
   breakthrough combines two fungi species: a yeast fungus on the anode side,   
   which releases electrons, and a white rot fungus on the cathode side, which   
   produces an enzyme that captures and conducts these electrons.    
      
   "For the first time, we have combined two types of fungi to create a   
   functioning fuel cell," Empa researcher Carolina Reyes explains.    
      
   Rather than adding fungi to a pre-assembled battery, researchers integrated   
   fungal cells into the 3D-printed battery structure itself. Electrodes were   
   carefully designed to provide nutrients to the fungi while remaining   
   biodegradable and conductive.    
      
   Traditional battery disposal poses environmental challenges, as many contain   
   toxic materials that can contaminate soil and water if not properly managed.   
   Empas living batteries don't have that problem as they cleverly self-digest -   
   by consuming the cellulose-based ink the fungal cells are embedded in - once   
   their purpose is fulfilled.    
      
   For the main nutrient source, the researchers add simple sugars to the    
   battery cells. "You can store the fungal batteries in a dried state and   
   activate them on location by simply adding water and nutrients," says Reyes.    
      
   Although its a promising idea, the project faces challenges due to the   
   complexity of working with living materials, blending microbiology, materials   
   science, and electrical engineering. Empa plans to experiment with different   
   forms of fungi going forward in the hope of finding combinations that will   
   make the fungal battery more powerful and longer-lasting.   
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/pro/a-self-destructing-3d-printed-fungi-based-batter   
   y-could-one-day-power-sensors-all-around-you-by-feasting-on-sugar   
      
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