Fish scales are thrown generally as waste but researchers have now developed a biodegradable energy harvester from it as these scales contain collagen fibres that possess piezoelectric property. The synthesis of bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator (BPNG) from this biowaste can be used in self-powered implantable medical devices, in vitro and in vivo diagnostics, e-healthcare monitoring, surgeries, portable electronics to reduce e-waste and for the development of value-added products.

Piezoelectric Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. When piezoelectric material is placed under mechanical stress, a shifting of the positive and negative charge centers in the material takes place, which then results in an external electrical field. When reversed, an outer electrical field either stretches or compresses the piezoelectric material.

The piezoelectric effect was discovered in 1880 by the Jacques and Pierre Curie brothers. They found out that when a mechanical stress was applied on crystals such Berlinite (structurally identical to quartz), cane sugar, quartz, Rochelle salt, topaz, tourmaline it generates electrical charge. An example of man-made piezoelectric materials includes barium titanate and lead zirconate titanate.

In the future, goal of Scientists is to implant a bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator into a heart for pacemaker devices, where it will continuously generate power from heartbeats for the device?s operation, it will then degrade when no longer needed. Development in this field and BPNG will definitely help in keeping the environment green.

source:

www.nanomotion.com

www.scitation.aip.org

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