In the realm of cutting-edge electronics, the concept of devices that disappear after use—echoing the self-destructing gadgets seen in popular films like Mission: Impossible—has captured imaginations for decades. Turning science fiction into science fact, researchers at Binghamton University are pioneering transient electronics: devices designed to perform their task and then biodegrade harmlessly within their environment. Among the greatest hurdles in this endeavor is creating a battery that shares this ephemeral nature without leaving toxic residues. Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and his team have now pushed the boundaries of biodegradable power sources by harnessing the unique capabilities of probiotics in dissolvable biobatteries, potentially revolutionizing how transient electronics are powered.
For over 20 years, Professor Choi’s dedicated research into “papertronics”—electronic circuits fabricated on biodegradable paper substrates—has sought to marry functionality with environmental responsibility. Unlike conventional electronics that persist as e-waste, transient electronics are meant to dissolve safely inside the human body or in natural settings after fulfilling their function, a property central to biomedical devices and ecological sensors. The challenge has always been the battery, the lifeblood of any electronic circuit. Traditional power sources, particularly lithium-ion batteries, pose significant biocompatibility and toxicity issues, undermining the devices’ transient promises.
Transient electronics must be bioresorbable; they require components that can dissolve or degrade without releasing harmful substances. While prior work by Choi’s team demonstrated the feasibility of biobatteries powered by electricity-generating bacteria, uncertainties remained surrounding the safety of these bacteria in natural ecosystems. The pivotal question has been whether these microorganisms could safely return to the environment without disrupting existing microbial milieus or causing health concerns. Inspired by this, Choi’s latest research took a bold new direction by employing probiotics—live beneficial microbes already proven safe for human consumption and environmental release.
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Building on her groundbreaking doctoral research, Maedeh Mohammadifar developed early prototypes of dissolvable microbial fuel cells that utilized electricity-producing bacteria classified under Biosafety Level 1. This ensured the bacteria’s safe handling but did not fully assess safety post-deployment in an open environment. Addressing lingering concerns, current PhD candidate Maryam Rezaie embarked on extensive experimentation with a commercial blend of fifteen probiotic strains, seeking to verify their electrogenic capabilities. Probiotics present a unique advantage: their established safety profile avoids biosafety risks while potentially enabling electrical energy generation.
Initial results were underwhelming, reflecting the inherent challenges in coaxing probiotics to produce substantial electricity. However, the research team innovated by engineering a novel electrode surface, integrating polymers and nanoparticles to create a porous, roughened material favorable for bacterial adhesion and growth. This tailored environment enhanced electron transfer efficiency by increasing the electrode’s surface area and fostering a synergistic interface between electrogenic probiotics and the conductive substrate, a crucial step for augmenting bioelectricity production.
A further innovation involved coating the dissolvable paper’s electrode with a low pH-sensitive polymer designed to activate electricity generation only under acidic conditions, such as those found in polluted waters or the human gastrointestinal tract. This selective functionality not only optimizes power output but also ensures the battery’s operation aligns with specific biomedical or environmental scenarios, minimizing energy waste and enhancing safety. Such precision-controlled biodegradability marks a significant advancement in transient electronic design.
Although the resultant biobattery produces modest power levels relative to commercial batteries, its proven operation verifies the concept’s viability, setting a platform for future enhancements. Choi emphasizes the importance of continued research focusing on isolating probiotic strains with enhanced electric-generating genes and examining synergistic bacterial interactions that could amplify electricity output. Additionally, assembling multiple biobattery units in series or parallel configurations might exponentially improve the power supply, unlocking broader application potentials.
This marriage of microbiology and materials science promises transformational impacts on biomedical devices such as implantable sensors, environmental monitoring tools, and disposable electronics where sustainability and biocompatibility are paramount. Unlike conventional batteries, dissolvable probiotic biobatteries can safely disintegrate within living tissues or natural ecosystems, thereby eliminating hazardous waste accumulation. This breakthrough aligns with global pushes toward greener technologies and responsible innovation.
Professor Choi’s work illustrates how interdisciplinary approaches can solve longstanding technological challenges. By shifting focus from traditional toxic components to biologically benign probiotics, his team creates a paradigm shift in transient electronics—transforming power sources from environmental liabilities to eco-friendly, biocompatible assets. Though hurdles remain in scaling and optimizing these devices, the foundational research lays critical groundwork for the next generation of sustainable electronics.
Beyond fundamental scientific advances, this research holds promise for real-world applications that previously seemed unattainable. For example, ingestible medical devices powered by probiotic batteries could monitor internal health parameters in real-time, then harmlessly dissolve, averting surgical removal procedures. Similarly, environmental sensors deployed in sensitive habitats could deliver data and then biodegrade, reducing human impact on fragile ecosystems.
In summary, Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and his team have demonstrated a pioneering approach to powering transient electronics with dissolvable, probiotic-fueled biobatteries. Their efforts highlight the feasibility of biocompatible, environmentally benign power sources capable of safely disintegrating post-use. As transient electronics move from theory to practical deployment, innovations like these will be vital in ensuring that the electronics of tomorrow are as sustainable as they are sophisticated.
Subject of Research: Cells
Article Title: Dissolvable Probiotic-Powered Biobatteries: A Safe and Biocompatible Energy Solution for Transient Applications
News Publication Date: 26-Mar-2025
Web References:
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202502633
Image Credits: Seokheun “Sean” Choi
Keywords:
Batteries, Energy storage, Electrical engineering, Engineering, Bacteria, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Probiotics, Microorganisms
Tags: biocompatible power sourcesbiodegradable electronicsbiomedical device advancementse-waste reduction strategiesecological sensors developmentenvironmental impact of electronicsinnovative battery solutionspapertronics researchprobiotics powered batteriesself-destructing gadgetssustainable electronic devicestransient electronics technology
