Indian scientists recycle fish scales into green energy

A team of researchers at Jadavpur University here has developed a biodegradable energy harvester – from raw fish scales – which could be tapped as a sustainable green energy source for next generation self-powered implantable medical devices.It also has the potential for personal portable electronics with reduced e-waste elements said the researchers.Fish scales, a by-product that is usually thrown away, contain collagen fibres that possess a piezoelectric property, which means that an electric charge is generated in them in response to mechanical stress.The researchers have synthesised flexible bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator (BPNG) from this bio-waste.