A French research team has successfully implanted glucose biofuel cells in rats — yielding enough electricity to run a pacemaker without the need for a battery.
Led by Joseph Fournier University biomedical engineer Phllippe Cinquin, the research team found that the implanted biofuel cell — which generate electricity by using enzymes to oxidize the glucose already in the body — was able to consistently generate up to 6.5 microwatts, with a maximum output of 24.4 microwatts. The average pacemaker only needs 10 microwatts.
Cinquin hopes than in 5 to 10 years, the glucose biofuel cells could be used to run human implants like bone growth simulators, insulin pumps, and biosensors, as well as pacemakers.
(Via PhysOrg)
