Sugar fueled batteries could power portable electronics

Before you take a swig of that kosher Coke this passover, think about what else you could be doing with your sugar-rush-in-a-can: powering your laptop for example, if a team of researchers at Saint Louis University in Missouri are successful. A study at the University showed that it was possible to create fuel cells that run on a variety of sugar sources that could potentially last up to four times longer than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The current proof of concept is a postage stamp sized fuel cell which can power a portable calculator, and the project lead Shelley Minteer PhD suggested that the new cell could be commercialized within 5 years. Apparently the best solution for the entirely renewable fuel cells -- which use enzymes to convert the fuel to electricity -- is simple sugar water: turns out our kosher Coke suggestion isn't apparently altogether that great due to the carbonization which weakens the fuel cell. Apart from the potential for laptop charging and on-the-go cellphone recharges, the military -- which funded the research -- also thinks there's potential for in the field implementations; their oddball idea is to use tree sap to recharge portable devices.

[Gil @ Mar 26th 2007 8:47AM]

Oh gee I'm so glad they proved it's possible because we sure didn't know sugar can provide energy... it's not like humans are powered like that or anything...

Seriously this would be great if they actually make it work but it's the 10254762148th time some group has claimed to put such batteries on the market in the next 1/5/10 years. When engadget has a review post THEN I'll be cheering.

[Etaanaru @ Mar 26th 2007 9:02AM]

My phone has diabetes :[

[PEZ @ Mar 26th 2007 9:07AM]

You stole my sugar -cube photo! I guess th egreat news would be celphone batteries and laptops.

[clicclic @ Mar 26th 2007 11:16AM]

In 2020 from some hip cafe on the West side your obnoxious friend will IM "How can we live without maple syrup?"

[mrmworth @ Mar 26th 2007 11:22AM]

i guess doc brown was on to something when he powered up the delorean with soda and a banana peel

[Vexorg @ Mar 26th 2007 12:47PM]

Does this mean your phone will run like crazy for a few hours, then crash?

[blackfeather @ Mar 26th 2007 1:19PM]

It wont be long before they actually feed on human flesh...

[Octothorpe @ Mar 26th 2007 1:48PM]

I for one welcome our new sugar-powered overlords. Finally we can harness all that energy of young children for other uses!

[Bob @ Mar 26th 2007 6:02PM]

I coke for me and diet coke for my laptop. Its trying to watch its figure.

[SteveMB @ Mar 26th 2007 8:26PM]

This idea is worse than bio-fuels.

[rp @ Mar 26th 2007 8:37PM]

I propose a new battery that will recharge itself using crack rock instead of sugar. You think exploding batteries are a problem now, just wait until you get 'em hopped up on crack!