Crab shells power a green revolution: the emergence of eco-friendly batteries

Chitosan batteries, biodegradable and sustainable, transform crab shells into a precious resource: a revolution that supports renewable energy and reduces environmental impact

With their ruggedly beautiful shells, crabs have long been an emblem of marine biodiversity. Now, they’re playing a revolutionary new role in the field of renewable energy. With the help of chitosan, a biodegradable material derived from the shells of crabs, researchers have created a new generation of earth-friendly batteries. Such batteries solve the rapidly growing problem of electronic waste and turn trash into gold.

Traditional batteries, with complicated, non-recyclable parts, pose a big environmental threat. However, in contrast, chitosan-based batteries are very green. About two-thirds biodegradable, they will degrade in soil in only months, significantly reducing their footprint.

Beyond sustainability, performance is also out of this world. Made from zinc and chitosan, these batteries retain 99.7% capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. That makes them perfect for storing renewable energy-solar and wind power-and powering small electronic devices.

From ocean to land: transforming waste into resources

The food industry produces several million pounds of crustacean shells each year. While usually considered waste, science has found a way to make these leftovers the cornerstone of future technology. Chitosan is extracted from chitin in crab shells and processed into a gel-like electrolyte. This natural component enhances ion conductivity without using toxic substances or heavy metals.

The result is a battery that is as planet-friendly as it is efficient, truly embodying the principles of the circular economy. By using natural materials to create cleaner energy solutions, this innovation shows that even the humblest of marine organisms can inspire groundbreaking advancement. Crab shells, usually so unassuming, now represent sustainable progress.

Source: Cell

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How a simple leaf could transform the future of electronics

Leaftronics technology, developed inspired by the structure of leaves, offers a sustainable solution to e-waste, with high-performance biodegradable substrates

A leaf-so simple, yet so incredibly complex. This humble creation of nature has inspired a revolutionary innovation by a team of researchers led by Prof. Karl Leo at the TUD Dresden University of Technology. The result? Leaftronics is a technology that uses the natural structures of leaves to create biodegradable electronic substrates. These combine high performance with environmental sustainability, offering a way to tackle the growing mountain of electronic waste suffocating our planet.

It represents a breakthrough published in the prestigious journal Science Advances: not some vision of the future, but something rather more tangible-a scalable solution.

E-waste: the global crisis

The world produces over 66 million short tons (60 million metric tons) of electronic waste annually, with more than 75% left uncollected and unrecycled. Much of this comes from non-recyclable substrates, such as fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin, which forms the backbone of nearly all electronic devices.

For a long time, scientists have tried to find a substitute for such materials using biodegradable ones, but up until now, natural polymers could not bear the temperatures and chemicals needed in industrial production. This barrier is overcome by Leaftronics through one of the smartest designs from nature-the structure of lignocellulose in leaves.

An inspiration of genius: taking biology as the source to innovate technology

The secret to Leaftronics is rooted in a feature of leaves that is usually overlooked. Leaves have lignocellulosic, quasi-fractal skeletons, or highly intricate frameworks, to support living cells. Prof. Leo’s team realized these structures could reinforce biodegradable polymer films to give them thermal and mechanical resilience that previously seemed impossible to achieve.

As Dr. Hans Kleemann, head of the Organic Devices and Systems group, explains:

“The quasi-fractal structures supporting living cells in leaves turned out to be perfect for stabilizing solution-processable polymers. Astonishingly, they maintain these properties even at high temperatures without sacrificing biodegradability.”

This breakthrough not only solves the durability issue but also enables the production of smooth, high-performance substrates crucial for advanced devices like OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes).

Leaftronics: the green evolution of electronics

Beyond biodegradability, substrates based on Leaftronics have a number of advantages. With a carbon footprint three times lower than paper, they represent a leap forward in energy sustainability. At the end of their life cycle, these substrates can be composted or converted into biogas, allowing valuable components such as metals and semiconductors to be recovered.

This innovation, putting together nature’s brilliance with modern efficiency in technology, can potentially change industries that range from consumer electronics to renewable energy. As Prof. Leo reiterates:

“Leaftronics proves that a fusion of nature and technology is not just an option but an imperative for the environmental challenges ahead.”

The journey toward a truly circular economy depends on ideas like Leaftronics, where advanced technology blends with consideration for the environment. This is beyond waste reduction; it is about how to rethink designing and using electronic devices, placing the centre of attention on harmony with our ecosystem.

Source: Science Advances

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