Researchers from the National University of Science and Technology "MISIS" (NUST "MISiS") — along with colleagues from the US and Mexico — have developed a new technology for producing cost-effective batteries from medical waste.

The authors of the research claim that their technology could turn waste that is difficult to recycle into raw materials, according to a study published in the Journal of Energy Storage. Researchers say that during the coronavirus pandemic people on the planet started using more than 130 billion masks every month, which turn into hundreds of tonnes of polymer waste. When burned it emits toxic gases, so the task of recycling this waste is particularly urgent. [1]

Figure 1. Technology That Converts Disposed Face Masks into Batteries

Figure 1 shows the world is already grappling with pollution problems created by the relentless use of fossil fuels. The unending pile of medical waste, especially used face masks will produce further complications.

But there is a long-term solution. Researchers from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST MISIS), Russia have claimed to devise a technology that can convert medical waste (including face masks) into flexible, cost-effective batteries. And because they have more benefits than traditional metal-coated batteries, applications include household, industrial and more. [3]

“To create a battery of the supercapacitor sort, the next algorithm is used: first the masks are disinfected with ultrasound, then dipped in ‘ink’ product of graphene, which saturates the masks. Then the fabric is pressed beneath stress and heated to 140°C (standard supercapacitor batteries require very excessive temperatures for pyrolysis-carbonation, as much as 1000-1300°C, whereas the brand new expertise reduces power consumption by an element of 10),” mentioned Professor Anvar Zakhidov, scientific director of the infrastructure venture ‘Excessive-Efficiency, Versatile, Photovoltaic Units Based mostly in Hybrid Perovskites’ at NUST MISiS. [4]

How the process works:

• The masks are collected and placed in quarantine for 4 days
• After 4 days they are grounded into small pieces
• The small pieces are then put through ultraviolet light which ensures that they are completely decontaminated before the recycling process begins. [2]

References:

1. https://www.advancedbatteriesresearch.com/articles/25799/tonnes-of-used-face-masks-to-be-turned-into-energy
2. https://infrastructurenews.co.za/2022/02/02/how-covid-19-face-masks-can-be-recycled-and-converted-to-energy/
3. https://www.electronicsforu.com/special/editor-choice/technology-converts-disposed-face-masks-batteries
4. https://getdigitaltech.com/know-how-that-converts-disposed-face-masks-into-batteries/

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Technology That Converts Disposed Face Masks into Batteries, pp. 137