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CHAPTER I

The Problem and It’s Background

This chapter shows the Background of the Study, Statement of the

Problem, Hypothesis, Theoretical Framework, Conceptual Framework,

Scope and Delimitation, Significance of the Study and Definition of

Terms.

Background of the Study

In today’s modern age, we all know that electricity is an essential

part of our modern life. People use electricity for lightning, heating,

cooling and refrigeration, and for operating appliances; computers,

electronics, machinery and transportation system. (Use of electricity,

2017)

It's easy to toss that little used battery away without realizing the

risk it may pose to human health, wildlife and the environment when it

starts to erode in landfill and leach into the soil and waterways.

Batteries are ubiquitous yet often ignored, humming in the

background while powering appliances, smartphones, and other parts of

our lives. They’re also a pivotal piece in the environmental puzzle, as

batteries that are better able to store energy will boost intermittent

renewables like wind and solar.

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But batteries themselves have environmental drawbacks, too. They

contain toxic and in some cases flammable materials. And they require

lots of energy to manufacture, which means high greenhouse gas

emissions. (Urevig, 2018)

Among the fruits that were pretested (papaya, latundan, saba,

indian mango and kamias), kamias yielded the highest potential of about

0.8 V. The nature’s underrated sour fruit, (Averrhoa Bilimbi) the

scientific term of Kamias from Oxalidaceae Family of edible and

underutilized fruits. This tropical fruit contains a lot of natural nutrients

and benefits such as Iron, Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid from vitamin C for

immune booster, vitamin B for metabolic rate, Calcium for stronger

bones, and Phosphorus that compliments Calcium by increasing the

mineral’s effectiveness of strength to the bones and teeth. This fruit is

also a citrus fruit, it contains citric acid and electrolyte that allows

electricity to flow.

To address these issues, researchers focuses on an eco-friendly

battery, helping our mother nature in small ways and minimize the rising

carbon dioxide emissions occurs in our home planet.

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Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of

ZN/Cu – Kamias (Averrhoa b.) battery in producing electric energy.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions;

1. What is the effectiveness of ZN/Cu – Kamias (Averrhoa b.) as an

alternative fruit battery in terms of:

a. Volts Produced;

b. Affordability; and

c. Ability to light up the LED

2. What is the effectiveness of commercial battery in terms of:

a. Volts Produced;

b. Affordability; and

c. Ability to light up the LED

3. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of the

alternative kamias eco-friendly battery and the commercial

battery product?

Hypothesis of the Research

Ho: There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of

the alternative kamias eco-friendly battery and the commercial battery

product?
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Theoretical Framework

According to Alhassan and Ahmed (2016) several studies have

demonstrated the ability of A. bilimbi to act as an effective eco battery.

They further stated that A. bilimbi holds great value by the substantial

amount of research conducted on it.

Researcher, Bales Jr. (1995), stated that using the zinc containers

of old size C dry cell, the dry cell contraptions were constructed. The

kamias fruit was placed inside as the new electrolyte. The copper wire

was soldered to the base of the cap and was used to seal the cell to

replace the carbon rod in common dry cells. The improvised kamias cells

were connected in series and were able to generate enough amount of

voltage that could compete with the commercially available ones.

Nurul ’Amirah Aziz (2016) states that using the zinc containers of

old size C dry cell, the dry cell contraptions were constructed. The

kamias fruit was placed inside as the new electrolyte. The copper wire

was soldered to the base of the cap and was used to seal the cell to

replace the carbon rod in common dry cells. The improvised kamias cells

were connected in series and were able to generate enough amount of

voltage that could compete with the commercially available ones.

According to the study conducted by the American Journal of

Scientific and Industrial Research. This study explored the possibility of

using spoiled kamias fruit as an alternative source of power. It aimed to

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make dry cell contraptions with kamias fruit as the electrolyte and to be

able to generate a substantial amount of potential difference from it.

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1: Presents the conceptual framework of the research. As

presented in the figure, the study will involve different processes that are

essential in arriving at empirical result needed to answer the research

problems.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

The effectiveness of

 Collection of materials ZN/Cu – Kamias

Kamias
(Averrhoa b.) as an
(Averrhoa  Test for significant
differences alternative fruit battery to
Bilimbi)
be tested in terms of:
Fruit  Following the methods
and procedures a. Volts Produced;

b. Affordability; and
 Analysis and
interpretation c. Ability to light up

the LED
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Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Significance of the Study

This study explored the possibility of using spoiled kamias fruit as

an alternative source of power. It aimed to make dry cell contraptions

with kamias fruit as the electrolyte and to be able to generate a

substantial amount of potential difference from it. Electricity is very

fundamental in this world and we want our people to use natural

resources sufficiently and practically.

In realizations to this research study, it will help people to have a

sustainable organic batteries for safer, environmentally friendly power

storage and disposal. This study aims to reckon significant relationship

of the study to the following:

Students, this study could help students in utilizing an efficient tool that

will help their lives more easier.

Teachers, this study will provide additional information about the

importance of Averrhoa Bilimbi as an eco-friendly battery.

Youths, this study will help us to expand our minds when it comes to

savings.

Parents, the result of the study will provide increase understanding

about the Averrhoa Bilimbi (Kamias) as an eco friendly battery.

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Residents, enable the residents to use Averrhoa Balimbi (Kamias) as an

effective and alternative eco friendly battery.

Community, you may benefit some people living in rural areas who

cannot afford to buy a commercial battery, to have an alternative fruit

battery that is cheaper, easy to found materials, and affordable than

commercial battery.

Industry, the outcome of this study develop a new source of safe and

renewable energy from organic materials that can be sold to the public.

This would be useful, for the materials to be use are cheaper, present,

and affordable than the commercial one.

Future researchers, the ideas presented may be used as reference data

in conducting new researches with the same kind or in testing the

validity of the other related findings.

Scope and Delimitation

The research is all about Avverhoa Bilimbi (Kamias) as an eco-

friendly battery. Primarily, this research will talk about the chemical

components of kamias and in how it enduces ions that helps in

generating electricity. Another thing the study also will know how ‘it’

(kamias) be an alternative battery.

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On the other hand, this study will sadly not cover all the factors

not concerning about how this (kamias) be an alternative battery because

of the lack of money, support and time as a student are some of the

hindrances that prevents the researchers from covering all of it.

Definition of Terms

The following terms used in this study are defined conceptually to

give the reader a clearer and better view or understanding on how the

terms are used in this research paper.

Essential – extremely important and necessary..

Pose - to put or set in place.

Erode- to be gradually destroyed by natural forces.

Leach - either vertical edge of a square sail.

Reckon – to think or suppose.

Ubiquitous - seeming to be seen everywhere.

Humming - to make a low continuous sound.

Pivotal – very important.

Contraption – a piece of equipment/machinery that is unusual or

strange.
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Intermittent - not constant or steady.

Empirical - based on testing or experience.

Electrolyte - a liquid through which electricity can pass.