Urine powered phone battery promised

A TECHNOLOGY THAT will enable body fluids - such as urine - to act as an electrolyte in a paper based battery has been developed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

At present the battery is a working prototype but - given that such batteries can be made in any shape and thickness and can kick out 2.5 V - they could be used in mobile phones.

So far researchers have manufactured a battery that can power a small fan or an LED device and is no bigger than a postage stamp.

Creating the prototype is one thing but inventing a way to mass produce these cellulose based batteries is another. The Institute is hoping that space research companies might have the dollars to fund such research.

Given that the battery can be inserted under your skin, a future when you can have a mobile phone built into your wrist is looking nearer and nearer. µ

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