Transient biobatteries: Microfluidic control for programmable dissolution

Abstract

We report a simple approach to develop transient microbial fuel cells with the capability of dissolving in water after stable power generation within a programmed period. This novel water-soluble biobattery makes use of the integration of a dissolvable paper-based substrate, a simple pencil-drawn graphite anode, and a Prussian-blue (PB) cathode. The device features (i) a low cost transient paper-based platform, (ii) easily accessible electrode materials and simple fabrication steps and (iii) a time-controlled operation by using the number of serpentine microfluidic channels. The biobatteries reached to a maximum power of 0.5μW and a current 15.6μA and achieved full dissolution in less than 60 minutes.