Old Newspapers Could Soon Keep Your Digital Devices Charged

Who says print is dead? According to BBC News, Sony recently unveiled a paper-powered battery prototype that generates electricity by turning shredded paper into sugar, which is then used as fuel.

The prototype was unveiled at the Eco-Products exhibition in Tokyo last December, when Sony invited children to drop pieces of paper and cardboard into a liquid made of water and enzymes, and then to shake it. The equipment was connected to a small fan, which began spinning a few minutes later.

“Of course, this is still at the very early stages of its development, but when you imagine the possibilities that this technology could deliver, it becomes very exciting indeed,” said Yuichi Tokita, senior researcher at Sony’s Advanced Material Research Lab.

With so many people using electronics worldwide, bio-batteries such as this one could serve as a more environmentally friendly alternative since they don’t use harmful chemicals or metals.

The company already has one huge supporter: the environmental campaign group Greenpeace.

“Any way to provide a greener technology could be a potential magic bullet,” John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, told the BBC. “So from that point of view, this is interesting, and I think it’s fantastic that companies like Sony are looking to make the generation of energy more environmentally friendly.”

By : Nu Yang
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/ASection/Article/Old-Newspapers-Could-Soon-Keep-Your-Digital-Devices-Charged