INVESTIGATING THE ELECTROLYTE MEDIUM FOR ELECTRIC GENERATION USING PROBIOTIC YOGURTS
JOSHUA HAHN *
Chemistry Division, STEM Science Center 111 Charlotte Place, NJ 07632, USA.
YEIN JUNG
Chemistry Division, STEM Science Center 111 Charlotte Place, NJ 07632, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rationale: The importance of energy generation cannot be emphasized enough in every aspect. Even though the traditional electrical generation has been mainly focused on high voltage sources such as hydroelectric and nuclear power, the low-power sources of electrical acquisition are also essential, particularly in the era of digital technology. Batteries have been advanced as an integral component of electric devices for decades. The advent of digital technology leads us to the necessity of low-power energy sources. Electrolyte batteries consist of a pair of metal electrodes in an aqueous solution that facilitates electron transfer through the medium when a circuit is formed. New ideas for these low-power electrical generations have been tried around, even using potatoes, apples, and mud.
Methods: This study investigated yogurt as the electrolyte medium using a metal pair of stainless steel and coiled magnesium electrode. A four-channel data acquisition system recorded the electric generation waveforms from the electrochemical battery cells changing the variables as examined, such as temperature, concentration, pH, stirring power, serial connection, and whole concentration.
Results: The study confirmed that the pair of coiled Mg and stainless-steel electrodes produced the highest electrical potential, 25% higher among the metal pairs tested, while Chobani brand yogurt was the best electrolyte, 10% higher for electricity generation. The variables of temperature, concentration, pH, and stirring power were all highly linearly related to electricity generation. Serial combination with the 4 battery cell study demonstrated the feasibility of high voltage generation up to 7.8V.
Conclusions: The highest electrical potential was acquired when used the whole yogurt of Chobani with stainless steel and coiled-type electrodes. The study demonstrated the superiority of probiotic yogurt electrolytes, which might need to elaborate for further detailed mechanisms.
Keywords: Electrolyte batteries, electrolyte medium, electrochemistry, electrolyte metals, probiotic yogurts