[benbenolson]

Doesn't this require the degradation of the zinc and copper plates that are required for it to work?

[analog31]

Yes, conversion of the metallic copper and zinc into ionic salts is where the energy comes from.

[amluto]

Read the paper:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239391768_ZnCu-vege...

The zinc is consumed. The copper is not.

[ddingus]

Yes, but the plates could be cleaned and used multiple times.

For plates of reasonable size, simple abrasion would be enough.