a medical breakthrough in one area could translate into ground-breaking solutions in others.
by rick richardson
technology this week
scientists at the department of biosystems science and engineering at eth zurich in basel have created a unique implantable fuel cell. it produces electrical energy by utilizing extra blood sugar, or glucose, from tissue.
more: one state is now america’s clean energy paradise | microsoft moves further into nuclear development with new director | nuclear battery could keep your future phone running for 50 years | mit tests new ingestible vital signs sensor | major websites blocking content from ai crawlers | electronic skin that can sense touch will transform robotics | four of today’s new technologies that will be tomorrow’s ‘norm’
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.
this achievement could usher in a new era of self-powered implantable medical devices and help people with type 1 diabetes and other chronic ailments that need constant monitoring and care.
insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels, is not produced by the body in people with type 1 diabetes, a chronic illness. insulin must be administered externally to patients via insulin pumps or injections. however, these medical gadgets need a steady energy source, usually provided by disposable or rechargeable batteries.
according to project principal investigator martin fussenegger, “many people, especially in western industrialized nations, consume more carbohydrates than they need in everyday life, leading to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
this gave his team the notion to generate electricity that could power biomedical equipment by harnessing extra metabolic energy.
one ground-breaking invention that might help with this issue is the fuel cell. the anode, or electrode at the center of the fuel cell, is composed of copper-based nanoparticles. it divides glucose into gluconic acid and a proton, which creates electricity and starts an electric circuit.
the fuel cell resembles a small tea bag that may be inserted beneath the skin. it is covered in alginate, a medical-grade algal product, and wrapped in nonwoven fabric. thanks to the alginate, glucose from the tissue can enter the fuel cell and be transformed into electrical energy.
subsequently, the scientists connected the fuel cell to a capsule that included synthetic beta cells. blue led light or electric current can be used to induce the production and secretion of insulin from these cells. this technology delivers insulin under control while continuously generating power.
when it detects an overabundance of glucose, the fuel cell produces electricity. using this electrical energy, the cells are stimulated to create and release insulin into the bloodstream. blood sugar levels consequently return to normal. insulin and electricity are no longer produced when glucose drops below a particular threshold.
besides stimulating the designer cells, the fuel cell’s electrical energy allows the implanted system to interface with devices such as smartphones. this enables prospective users to change the system using an associated app. it might also be remotely accessed and adjusted by a physician.
fussenegger said, “the new system autonomously regulates insulin and blood glucose levels and could be used to treat diabetes in the future.” patients requiring several daily insulin injections or pumps may benefit from this discovery, giving them more freedom and flexibility.
but the current setup is merely a prototype. even though the researchers have successfully tested it on mice, the necessary human and financial resources prevent them from turning this discovery into a commercial product. such a device would need an industry partner with the necessary funds and expertise to bring it to market.
nevertheless, it is important to recognize the significance of this discovery. a new era of self-powered medical devices that might assist millions of people worldwide could be ushered in by the development of an implanted fuel cell that can produce electricity from extra glucose in the body.
patients with type 1 diabetes and other chronic illnesses that need constant monitoring and care may find a ground-breaking solution in this idea. medical technology appears to have a promising future.