Researchers from the Uppsala University in Sweden, recently discovered an alternative for producing environment-friendly batteries, using renewable organic materials and a smart recovery strategy.

The renewable materials come from alfalfa seeds (Lucerne) and pine resin.

According to the study led by Professor Kristina Edström alongside Stéven Renault and other researchers at the University's Ångström Laboratory, the battery uses recyclable organic materials with a low energy input and risk-free chemicals, such as water and ethanol.

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Today's modern lithium-ion batteries use non-renewable inorganic materials, and require high energy input and toxic chemicals.

Although, these current batteries are widely available in laptops, mobile phones and many electronic devices, they can pose a risk to the environment.

The resources used to extract lithium are also limited and its future use is uncertain.

Researchers came up with a whole new concept that entails recovering and using renewable biomaterials with an energy content similar to that of lithium-ion batteries.

"We think our discovery can open several doors to more environment-friendly, energy-efficient solutions for the batteries of the future," said Daniel Brandell, one of the researchers behind the concept.

Researchers found out that extracting lithium from a spent battery to construct a new one can be done, by adding new biological materials.

The result delivered as much as 99 percent of the energy output from the first.

Brandell stated the possibility of solving the problems that arise from the current use of lithium batteries by using these methods.

It's a major step forward and a cost-effective solution, he added.

TagsEnvironment, Lithium-ion battery, Rechargeable Batteries