Scaling Electricity: Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Scales as Piezoelectric Medium to Generate Energy

As the global demand for sustainable and renewable energy technologies continues to increase, the exploration of bio-based materials for alternative energy generation has become increasingly significant. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of utilizing tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) scales as a bio-piezoelectric material for generating electrical energy through a bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator (BPNG). Specifically, the study sought to evaluate the average and maximum voltage outputs of different prototype configurations, determine the effects of structural complexity and fish scale volume on voltage generation, and identify the most efficient prototype for energy production. The study employed an experimental research design conducted at Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc.. Collected fish scales underwent chemical treatment using sodium hydroxide, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and glacial acetic acid to enhance flexibility and piezoelectric properties before being integrated into three bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator prototypes. Constant mechanical stress at 300 beats per minute (bpm) was applied to each prototype, and voltage outputs were measured in millivolts (mV) using a voltmeter. Statistical analyses including t-test and point-biserial correlation were utilized to analyze the collected data. Findings revealed that Prototype 3 generated the highest electrical output with an average voltage of 3.8 mV and a maximum voltage of 99.8 mV, outperforming Prototype 1 and Prototype 2. Statistical analysis further indicated significant differences in voltage output between prototypes with varying structural configurations and fish scale volumes. Moreover, a strong positive relationship was found between the number of piezoelectric layers and voltage generation (rpb = 0.4892, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that tilapia scales possess strong potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable biomaterial for renewable energy generation and bio-piezoelectric applications.