Non-Toxic Batteries That Generate Power Developed by MIT Scientists

These days everything runs on batteries, from smartphones to electric cars. However, the fuel source that powers these batteries is also their biggest drawback. Almost all the conventional batteries are made of toxic substance, lithium, that is highly inflammable and hard to dispose off.

However, researchers at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) may have just the right answer to this toxic problem. They have found an alternative method of generating power that is not only safer but also toxic-free.

This new technology is a result of revolutionary research made by the same set of MIT researchers in 2010. Back then, these scientists discovered that when small carbon cylinders were coated one end with an inflammable material and heated from one, they were able to produce electric current. However, the electricity produced was not enough at that time.

Over the years, these MIT researchers refined and perfected the process and today the electrical energy produced by the same process is at least thousand times more. In a recent experiment, researchers were able to attain greater efficiency by producing 10,000 times more power, as compared to their original experiment. According to the researchers, the secret of its power lies in coating. In earlier experiments, the pulse of heat was generated by using inflammable substances. However, in the current experiment, ordinary table sugar or sucrose was utilized in the experiment.

"It's actually remarkable that this (phenomenon) hasn't been studied before." Michael Strano lead author of the study said in a statement.

While the device is already efficient, it will still take several years before this technology can be marketed commercially. Strano said: "it took lithium-ion technology 25 years to get where they are" today.