Soil-Based Battery Powers In-Field Sensors

Soil-Based Battery Powers In-Field Sensors Scientists at the University of Bath have discovered that billions of microorganisms in soil, including bacteria and fungi, not only break down nitrogen molecules for plant use but also produce electricity. They aim to develop soil-powered batteries using this electricity. The baseball-sized “Bactery” is being developed to power in-field sensors that are increasingly being used in agriculture. “They’re permanently installed in the soil and act as a power source for nearby sensing devices,” says Bactery CEO and founder Jakub Dziegielowski. “They self-recharge from the ground, and because of this, can offer a continuous source of power. Simply install them in the ground and forget about any maintenance.” The device has two electrodes with a grounded anode and a cathode exposed to the air. It depends on electrigens, which are soil microbes that generate electrons when consuming organic compounds. Electrons move from the microbes to the anode and then to the cathode via an external circuit. “In-field sensors need a reliable and cheap source of power,” Dziegielowski says. “At the moment, the power delivery solutions make up 50 to 60% of the costs of sensors and IoT (Internet of Things), with the most common types of wireless power being solar and single-use batteries.” The UK-based company expects to sell the soil-powered batteries for about $45. They believe this innovation will initiate a strong North American market. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bactery, University of Bath Campus, Bath, England BA2 7AY (www.bactery.co.uk).

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