African scientist extracts electricity from woody shrub

A laboratory technician in the central African country of the Republic of Congo has devised a process to extract electricity from cassava -- a woody shrub cultivated throughout the tropical world for its tuberous roots.

A chemistry graduate Vital Nzaka nicknamed Vital Vitium, a resident of the financial capital Pointe-Noire, has been using commonly available cassava to charge batteries to illuminate his household.

Angered at frequent power cuts, the young researcher worked on plants to produce energy and also to save the environment and cut down expenses on fossil fuels.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Nzaka said he will soon file a patent application to protect his invention. A multinational energy company TotalEnergies, which has been helping him in his project will be part of the patent.

Talking about his invention, the laboratory technician said that he uses corn starch, salt, water, and a compound that he called vitium extracted from lemon to mix it with one kilogram of cassava. He said this extract allows him to make 166 batteries.

"Vitium is a compound that I developed based on lemon. This main element is the oxidizer of the battery. The cassava starch plays the role of the electrolyte and provides electricity round the clock and can power torches and radios. I also use it to make car batteries over the past four years," he said.

Briefing about the advantages of his invention, Nzaka said it is ecologically friendly, non-toxic, and rechargeable with solar energy as well. He said the aim behind his invention is to make electricity available to people along with protecting the environment and reducing stress on natural resources.

“Unlike the batteries made from mercury and lead, which are very toxic, these cassava batteries are harmless,” he said.

He further said that he had a passion for chemistry since early childhood and he used to experiment with various chemicals. The young scientist said that he was attracted to renewable energies because they are an integral part of society and their use conserves the environment and living beings.

Nzaka had begun marketing his product in rural areas of the Republic of Congo in 2014, to allow people to have access to electricity. He is now planning to expand the market of his product to other African countries starting with Cameroon.

The Republic of Congo produces 1.5 million tons of cassava annually and is conserved as a major food item in the country, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Asked if his invention may affect many people, who depend on cassava as a food item, he said its use in producing power will motivate people to grow it more. He said that so far, he has been using the leftover cassava, which people throw in waste.

"The leftover cassava is dried and collected into charcoal, and in the future people will come to me and give me the cassava waste that can also be used to make batteries," he said.