How can a cuttlefish avoid running out of fuel?

The use of batteries, found in telephones, remote controls and medical devices, is an integral part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, the routine use of these electronic devices has harmful effects on the environment, not least because of the pollution generated by heavy metals. This article traces the history of batteries, starting with the birth of the voltaic battery in 1799, invented by Alessandro Volta. This discovery, based on the principle of redox reactions between zinc and copper, was subsequently taken up and improved on numerous times. In 1836, John Frederic Daniell designed a two-compartment cell, stabilized by depolarizers and connected by a salt bridge. To meet today's climate challenges, today's researchers are trying to design batteries that are biodegradable, edible and therefore eco-compatible. Some scientists, for example, are using cuttlefish ink to extract melanin. In this sodium-ion battery, this molecule acts as a natural anode, enabling sodium ions to be stored and thus contributing to the device's eco-friendliness. Other innovative research has also emerged, using other natural ingredients such as quercetin and riboflavin. These technological advances are of particular interest to the healthcare sector, for the development of medical devices.