Construction of a Primary Dry Cell Battery From Cassava Juice Extracts (The Cassava Battery Cell)

Abstract

The liquid extract from cassava, a tropical root tuber widely consumed in Nigeria, The Gambia and in some
other West African countries, is a big environmental hazard and constitute great nuisance as it pollutes the
soil and air to a high degree, particularly the soil. Due to its very acidic nature, it becomes toxic to the soil
and destroys the plants and nutrients in the soil. If extracts flow or is passed into the soil surroundings, it
releases a very unpleasant odor into the air. As a result of this observable pollution hazard caused by this
substance, I deemed it appropriate to research into how, this pollutant to soil and air can be controlled and
also in the process the liquid extract from cassava, which is wasted and causes environmental damage, can
be positively utilized to serve the society and mankind. Since it contains significant amount of acid, the
following research hypothesis is drawn: The chemical nature of the liquid extract from cassava containing a
mineral acid HCN, can be harnessed and used as an electrolyte for; a Dry cell battery; and The liquid
extract from cassava, which is wasted and causes environmental damage, can be positively utilized to serve
the society and mankind and thus constitute a means of pollution control. The cassava tubers contain a
significant amount of cyanogenic glycosides, which hydrolyses to form hydrocyanic acid (HCN).