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From Waste to Electricity: A Bio-Battery Innovation
Utilizing Palm Oil Mill Effluent as a Renewable Energy Source

This study presents an integrative Project-Based Learning (PBL) innovation grounded in the STEM approach, focusing on solving two critical issues: limited access to electrical energy and the environmental impact of palm oil mill effluent (POME). The innovation centers on the development of a bio-battery using POME as an electrolyte, based on the Volta cell concept. This low-cost energy solution integrates scientific principles of electricity, environmental science, linear programming, and battery technology to produce an alternative power source. The model utilizes a magnesium (Mg) anode and copper (Cu) cathode, with a wet tissue salt bridge and POME as the electrolyte. When arranged in a simple circuit, this setup produces electricity that can be measured via multimeter, connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application. Designed to benefit communities in Sabah, Malaysia, particularly workers in palm oil plantations, this eco-friendly battery demonstrates the potential of waste-to-energy innovation in addressing real-world energy challenges.