Researchers made a battery you can eat that will power an edible robot

Researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have made a battery you can eat that will power an edible robot. They built a functional battery from everyday food items that will power an edible robot (in the process).

This rechargeable battery uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) and quercetin (available in almonds and capers) in battery poles. Scientists also used activated carbon to help in electron transfer to produce a current that will power an under-construction edible robot.

*Edible Battery constructed by IIT researchers*

They also used nori-algae to wrap sushi to prevent short circuits in the battery. Moreover, they used beeswax to protect an edible battery (4 cm) long. It can produce a current of 0.65V and power an LED for ten minutes. However, it is safe to swallow that voltage.

If these edible batteries are massive, imagine how big an edible robot would be. Hence, IIT researchers made a battery you can eat that will power an under-construction edible robot. This project is part of the RoboFood Project. An EU grant of 3.5 million euros was given to this project.

*The edible* battery will power the *eatable robot*

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Scientists at EPFL created an edible gripper (for a robot) using gelatin. The construction may hold an apple and a conductive ink can be sprayed on food to sense its growth. They used activated carbon to make the ink. It has conductivity.

Meanwhile, Haribo Gummy Bears (fruit gum candies) serve as the binder. Additional sensors can then detect the pH, light, and bending.

The research group included Jonathan Rossiter from the University of Bristol in the UK and Remko Boom from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Others included Mario Caironi from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Dario Floreano, director of the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems at EPFL.