Researchers have a developed "biofuel cells" that re similar to batteries and could be used to power some of the widespread electronic devices. These cells could derive energy from soda pop or even a dose of vegetable oil.

The prototype of the cell was described at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The prototype is based on the ides of mitochondria, which are responsible for converting food into energy in most living organisms.

The research is a significant step in integrating living cells in an electronic device. Mitochondria which is described as the powerhouse of a cell, transform the calories in food into chemical energy in living beings.

It makes a substance called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) with pyruvate which is formed after digestion of sugar and fat. Mitochondria every day makes and recycles ATP, which stores energy, equal to the amount of a persons body weight.

Researchers are now looking into this energy-producing system powered by sugar or fats to power electronic devices.

Shelley Minteer of St Louis University in Missouri, who presented the report said, "This is the first demonstration of a new class of biofuel cells. When further developed, these devices have the potential for replacing disposable and rechargable batteries in a wide variety of consumer electronics and other products.”

They have successfully tested the first mitochondria fuel cell. The prototype has a thin layer of mitochondria sandwiched between two electrodes and a gas-permeable electrode. The prototype produces electricity using sugar or cooking oil byproducts.

The cells can have a wide range of application such as in devices like wireless sensors for temperature monitoring, motion detection, and monitoring the location of vehicles, they can be power-source for stamp-sized sensors for detecting explosives.

The research is on experimental basis only and the researchers are now trying to use the change the materials used in the biofuel cells to enable them to produce more power. Analysst say that is a significant achievement for the field of biotechnology but the practical implementation will take some time.