For a long time scientists have been experimenting with microbial fuel cells and finding new applications for them. A microbial fuel cell uses the electrons that are released from bacteria as they feed on organic waste to produce electricity. Researchers from Binghampton University have found a way to house that process in a foldable, paper-based battery. The small paper construction means that the battery can be paired with low-power biosensors and safely disposed of when its job is done. It can also be made for pennies. It's especially well suited for environmental sensing or medical applications because it can produce power wherever microbes are present like water, soil or the human body. The paper battery could be used in disaster relief, on battlefields or in medical clinics in remote areas -- anywhere that low-power devices need electricity and microbes are present. They could also be used to detect pathogens and toxins in the environment.