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Empa Builds a Biodegradable Fungal Battery

Empa Builds a Biodegradable Fungal Battery

White rot fungi

What they found

Empa researchers built a 3D-printed fungal fuel cell that powers a sensor for days and then digests itself.

Empa researchers built a 3D-printed fungal fuel cell that powers a sensor for days and then digests itself.

How solid is it?

n/a

n/a

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Published in

www.empa.ch

www.empa.ch

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Self-Digesting Battery

Self-Digesting Battery

Researchers at Empa have developed a biodegradable microbial fuel cell using 3D-printed fungi that generate electricity. The system combines yeast and white rot fungi, which work together to release and transfer electrons, producing enough power to run a temperature sensor for days. Once depleted, the fungi break down the battery from within. This offers a non-toxic, sustainable power source for remote environmental sensors—activated simply by adding water and nutrients.

Researchers at Empa have developed a biodegradable microbial fuel cell using 3D-printed fungi that generate electricity. The system combines yeast and white rot fungi, which work together to release and transfer electrons, producing enough power to run a temperature sensor for days. Once depleted, the fungi break down the battery from within. This offers a non-toxic, sustainable power source for remote environmental sensors—activated simply by adding water and nutrients.

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