biodegradable energy

Indian scientists found a way to recycle fish scales and generate green energy

Scientists at Jadavpur University have developed a harvester which uses raw fish scales, which can generate biodegradable energy to power next-gen medical devices like a pacemaker.

Fish scales are said to contain collagen fibers which in turn have piezoelectric properties. (Reuters)

Scientists at Jadavpur University have developed a harvester which uses raw fish scales, which can generate biodegradable energy to power next-gen medical devices like a pacemaker. This technology will be used to tap into the sustainable green energy sector. Fish scales are said to contain collagen fibers which in turn have piezoelectric properties. This means if there is enough stress on them a certain amount of charge can be generated. With an aim to do this, the scientists collected large amounts of fish scales. Then they used a demineralization process which made the scales transparent and flexible. This was followed by toying with the hierarchical alignment of the scales which boost their energy production and eventually be effective in creating a nanogenerator with bio-piezoelectric properties.

Assistant Professor at Organic Nano-Piezoelectric Device Laboratory, Dipankar Mandal told IANS, “We collected bio-waste in the form of hard, raw fish scales from a fish processing market, and then used a demineralization process for making them transparent and flexible.”This method has recycling properties, as the fish by-products into the BPNG through a process is a good solution for the development of value-added products and also aids in the reduction of the electronic waste. The work of the scientists can be used in transparent, biocompatible and biodegradable electronics. It can also function with implantable medical devices like the pacemaker and other diagnostics and surgeries. According to Handbook of Fisheries statistics in the year 2014, India produced almost 96 lakh tonne of fishes in a year. With that huge amount of fish produced, especially in the areas like Lakshadweep, Goa, Kerela and West Bengal, this move by the scientists will have huge results.