Spinach is well-known for its nutritional value; however, the idea that it can be used to create batteries, providing eco-friendly energy for smartphones and handheld computers, may sound like a far-fetched concept. But it's an undeniable fact.

Recently, scientists in the United States have successfully developed the "Spinach Battery." In the near future, the truly green batteries we use in our phones may just be this kind.

This research was a collaborative effort by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Tennessee, and the U.S. Navy Research Laboratory. As we all know, green plants can convert solar energy into physical energy through photosynthesis. "All green plants, regardless of size, can convert photons into electrons through photosynthesis, effectively turning sunlight into electricity," explained Shuguang Zhang, the leader of the study. In experiments studying plant photosynthesis, scientists discovered that a protein complex in plants called "Photosystem I" can convert solar energy into electrical energy. Although the amount of electrical energy transformed by the protein complex is small, it offers us a clue. "Guided by this natural transformation of light energy into electrical energy, we will continue to delve deeper into our research."

Due to spinach's high chlorophyll content, affordability, and availability year-round, scientists have focused their research on this leafy vegetable. They have developed a specialized spinach battery, which contains a wealth of spinach's "Photosystem I" protein complexes and conductive materials. However, a challenge arises as all proteins require water to function, and water is the arch-nemesis of smartphones and computers. In this situation, scientists drew inspiration from the oil layer covering the seeds and designed a "shell" for the spinach battery that not only protects the proteins from surviving in a watery environment but also aids in waterproofing for smartphones and computers.