TITLE: Characterization of Aloe Barbadensis Miller Leaves as a Potential Electrical Energy Source with Optimum Experimental Setup Conditions.
AUTHORS: Chong Peng Lean, Ajay Kumar Singh , Kok Swee Leong

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block"><div class = "justify" style = "text-align:left">Electrical energy can be harvested from the living plants as a new potential renewable energy source. Characterization of the electrical signal is needed to enable an optimum energy harvesting setup conditions. In the presentpaper, an investigation is conducted to analyze the characteristic of Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) leaves in terms of electrical energy generation under specific experimental setups. The experimental results show that 908.39uWelectrical power can be harvested from the Aloe Vera with 24 pairs of electrodes and this energy is capable to be stored in a capacitor. This energy has a high potential to be used to power up a low power consumption device.</div></div><div class = "text-block"><h2> </h2></div></div>

[STEPS]
?. Brush the electrodes surface with sandpaper to remove any contaminant and oxidant. Then, wipe the surfaces with alchohol to further remove any micro-contaminant. Fig 2: Electrodes after been cleaned with sandpaper and alcohol. .
?. First, prepare the number of desired electrode pairs, which consist of copper as cathode and zinc as anode electrode. Cut the electrodes into a standard size of 2.5 cm length, 2 cm width, and 1mm thickness. Fig 1: Measurement of copper-zinc electrode size.
?. Measure 1.5cm from the tip of each electrode and mark it by using a pen. This shows the depth of electrode penetration into the leaf, which is set at 1.5 cm.Fig 3: Marking 1.5cm from the tip of electrode to signify the depth of electrode penetration into the leaf.
?. Solder both the copper and zinc electrode into an electrode pair. Connect them by using a 3cm wire. Make sure the solder contact of the wire and the electrode surface is intact. Use a multi-meter to check the connectivity of each electrode pairs. Prepare the desired number of electrode pairs. Fig 4: Preparation of copper-zinc electrode pair.
?. Next,  choose the Aloe Vera leaves to be inserted with the electrode pairs. Each of the Aloe Vera selected is approximately 3 years old and a fully-grown plant. The size of the selected plant is approximately 50 to 60 cm in height and 50 to 70 cm in diameter from one tip of the leaf to another tip of the leaf. Each of the succulent leaves of the Aloe Vera is about 35 to 40 cm in length, with a maximum width of 6 to 7 cm and with 2 to 2.5 cm thickness. Fig 5: Selection of Aloe Vera leaves to be inserted with electrode-pairs.
?. Mark the leaf surface  to signify the distance between each electrode is at 1cm starting from the end of the leaf near the stem of the plant towards the tip of the leaf. Fig 6: Marking distance of 1 cm between each electrode on the leaf.
?. Insert the first copper electrode into first scale mark on the leaf.Fig 7: Inserting first copper electrode into the leaf.
?. Insert the next electrode pair . Make sure the zinc of the new inserted electrode pair is facing the first inserted copper electrode previously. Each of this will make a cell consists of copper-zinc electrode pair which generate voltage and current. Fig 8: Inserting electrode pair into the Aloe Vera leaf.
?. Insert the desired number of electrode pairs in to the leaf. Recommended to use only 6 to 8 electrode pairs per leaf due to limitation of the size of the leaf. Standardize the number of electrode pairs used per leaf in the experiment is crucial.Fig 9: Standardize the number of electrode-pair immersed into each leaf to be the same.
?. Measure the voltage and current generated by each leaf with a multi-meter, preferable a multimeter with datalogging and wireless interface to a computer in order to collect the data continuously. Connect the positive terminal to the copper electrode (cathode) and the negative terminal to the zinc electrode (anode). Fig 10(a): Measurement of voltage generated by the Aloe Vera leaf, which is inserted with electrode pairs. Fig 10(b): Measurement of current generated by the Aloe Vera leaf, which is inserted with electrode pairs.
?. Multiple leaves inserted with the electrode pairs can be connected together in series or in parallel to increase the voltage or the current to a desired value. Use crocodile jumper wire or normal wire to connect the first and last electrodes inserted into the leaf to the electrodes of another leaf. The output voltage and current generated by the connected leaves can be measured by using a multi-meter. It is able to be connected with a capacitor to store the energy (preferable a 16V, 1000uF capacitor).. Fig11: Connecting the Aloe Vera leaves in series or parallel and storing the energy geerated in a capacitor.