Researchers at IMB-CNM-CSIC awarded for the Electrochemical Society
The PowerPAD concept, a biodegradable electrochemical power source presented by Neus Sabaté and Juan Pablo Esquivel has been awarded $50,000 at the Electrochemical Energy and Water Summit organized by the Electrochemical Society (ECS) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
In its first “Science for Solving Society’s Problems Challenge,” ECS partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to leverage the brainpower of the many scientists in electrochemistry and solid state science and technology that regularly attend ECS meetings. ECS awarded $210,000 of seed funding to four innovative research projects addressing critical technology gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges being faced around the world. The four granted teams were identified during a multi-day workshop at the Electrochemical Energy and Water Summit in Cancun, Mexico held October 5-9, 2014.
The team composed by N.Sabaté, JP.Esquivel and E.Kjeang assessed the Monitoring and Measurement challenge by proposing the development of a non-toxic portable source of power for water measuring and monitoring systems, which will not require recycling facilities. Using inexpensive materials such as paper, nanoporous carbon electrodes and organic redox species, they will strive to create a biodegradable and even compostable power source. They will recived 50.000$ to develop the project.