Read your newspaper then use it to drive to work

Sony recently showed off a new bio-cell battery that breaks down paper in order to create power. This novel use of paper has the potential to change how we power devices in the future.

The process starts with an enzyme suspended in water. When paper is dropped in, the enzyme starts to break it down and produce glucose that can then be harvested and used to power a battery. Sony described the break down process as similar to how a termite might eat and break down wood.

Sony showed the battery off at Tokyo’s Eco-Products 2011 exhibition and managed to get the tech to power a small fan. Still in the early stages of development, the idea is that the technology could ultimately be used as a greener source of power for larger devices.