Tubers: Eco-Friendly Battery

Abstract

The research aimed to determine alternative sources of an eco-friendly battery out of tuber crops that can supply electrical energy. This was conducted as a response to the thrusts of the University on environmental stewardship and served as an initiative to help alleviate economic crises in general. More specifically, the limited importation of commercialized batteries calls for the utilization of locally available raw materials as possible substitutes. The use of the tuber crops as sources of electrolyte to power-up an eco-friendly battery is very important due to increasing demand for battery. The presence of alternatives found in natural resources is needed to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic electrolytes found in commercialized batteries such as titanium, lithium, and nickel-cadmium. These electrolytes are considered heavy metals that are toxic and can pose environmental concerns. The tuber crops consist of cassava or kamoteng kahoy (Manihot exculenta Crantz), sweet potato or camote (Ipomoea batatas L.), taro or gabi (Colocasia esculenta), ginger or luya and potato or patatas (Solanum tuberosum L.). These tuber crops are good sources of electrolytes. However, they will produce only small amount of energy. It cannot support any electrical device that requires a high amount of electrical consumption because it only generates a small amount of voltage. Their life span also depends on their freshness or how long they have been harvested. The power efficiency output of the tuber crops could be affected by several factors like size and the form when it was tested such as its juice and in osteorized form and the electrical device rate of power consumption. Tuber crops are only designed for small energy consuming devices. Hence, this study aimed at developing alternative sources of electrolyte found in tuber crops that would aid in the generation of electrical energy to power-up an eco-friendly battery.