Scientist Invents Truly Green Battery - Chlorophyll Green, That Is

Posted on November 5, 2008 by John Platt in Gear+Gadgets

The problem with batteries is that they often contain toxic chemicals that can leach out into the environment. But what if the chemicals were completely natural?

Professor Chungpin Liao and researchers at Coherent Control Laboratory in Taiwan are thinking in that direction. They have invented an organic battery powered by chlorophyll — the green-colored photosynthetic pigments found in most plant life.

The battery — discovered, like most great breakthroughs, almost by accident — just needs to have some liquid added to it, after which it will generate enough electricity to last for two days. The battery can be refreshed five times, with a total lifetime output of about 150 milliamp-hours.

This is well below current battery outputs, but still, it’s a massive leap in green battery technology.

Liao and his team are already trying to improve their chlorophyll battery, and they’re patenting their discovery in the meantime. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with next.