Potato-powered walkman on the way

Article from: Agence France-Presse

Herald Sun, August 24, 2007 03:47pm

BREAD and potatoes are sources of human energy, and now a carbohydrate diet is also powering up a Walkman.

Japanese technological giant Sony, hoping to be eco-friendly, has developed a prototype battery cell that generates electricity from carbohydrates and sugar.

The test cells had achieved output of 50 milliwatts, enough to play music on a Walkman, Sony said.

In a demonstration yesterday, a Sony employee poured a sugary sports drink to power a music player and speakers.

The company said it came up with the battery by studying how living creatures generate energy.

Sugar batteries would biodegrade and the source material could be found in plants around the world.

Plants regenerated through photosynthesis, "underlining the potential for sugar-based bio batteries as an ecologically friendly energy device of the future", Sony said.

Sony said it would continue to develop the prototype and study ways to put it into practical use.

Sony, which changed the way the world listened to music with the Walkman, has vowed to rededicate itself to innovation after suffering a troubled patch with the success of Apple's iPod.

Sony was also hit last year by the recall of millions of laptop batteries over fears they could catch fire.

Local researchers develop eco-friendly paint using cashew shells

Korea.net, August 23, 2007

Korean researchers have developed an eco-friendly paint using cashew shells that does not use formaldehyde, a state-run chemical technology institute said Thursday (Aug. 23).

The team, led by Song Bong-geun of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, said cashew shells and biocatalysts such as peroxidase and hydrogen peroxides were used in manufacturing the paint. Cashew nuts are commonly found in countries with warm climates like Brazil and India.

Paint is usually manufactured by mixing phenol and formaldehyde.

Such substances, which have been blamed for causing cancer in humans, are also the main cause of the so-called sick house syndrome.

"The new paint is not only ecologically friendly, but has excellent chemical, heat and smoke resistant qualities," said Song.

The researcher said the new paint uses 50 percent less energy to make and has good stain resistant properties.

"For the immediate future the paint will be used on wood products, although efforts are underway for wider industrial applications," he said. He said the paint could be used on such products as mobile phones and heavy duty coating for large structures.

The expert also said full-scale production should start next year, with domestic sales reaching 40 billion won ($42.4 million) annually within five years. He said with foreign countries placing stricter guidelines for harmful chemicals, the paint has good export potential