| Glucose is a compound that is naturally found in the | | | | experiments that are expected to be done before |
| body. It supplies energy for the body and now, it is | | | | the device can be practically used in humans. Maybe |
| found to be capable of generating significant amount | | | | years from now, the device could be found in the |
| of energy that could possibly, if further improved, | | | | market. Support from some companies could be a |
| supply energy for implanted devices. This discovery is | | | | great help for its progress. The device may be very |
| very significant to medical device suppliers (like | | | | practical in the medical field. Glucose is an unlimited |
| pacemaker and artificial organs). | | | | source of energy and it may be a substitute for |
| They call the technology as the "glucose biofuel cell". | | | | batteries. This power-generating device does not |
| The device can convert the available glucose and | | | | need to be surgically removed and replaced. |
| oxygen into usable electricity. The device was tested | | | | According to the researchers, the following |
| by using two rats. It was implanted in the abdomen | | | | experiments will aim to prove its effectiveness to |
| of the rats, and was able to attain the power of 6.5 | | | | larger animals and prolong its functioning. |
| microwatts. Wasn't bad, knowing that the standard | | | | Improvement for the device would also include the |
| pacemaker requires 10 microwatts to keep the heart | | | | incorporation of biocompatible materials. There will be |
| beating properly. The device could nearly reach the | | | | a lot of experiments and enhancements that need to |
| standard power and if refined and improved could | | | | be done before its practical use. Possibly in a few |
| reach beyond that level. There is no reason why the | | | | years from now or, a shorter time, there may be |
| device could not work in human. Researchers are | | | | some companies that will support the studies. It may |
| very optimistic about improvement of its efficiency. | | | | be very useful in the field of medicine. It aims to |
| So, how does this device really work? Electrodes of | | | | replace batteries, which require regular operations. |
| compressed graphite contain enzyme catalysts, which | | | | In addition, besides the targeted pacemaker, the |
| are then responsible for the oxidation of glucose and | | | | biofuel cell could find application in devices such as |
| chemicals. The chemicals, called the redox mediators | | | | insulin pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, bone growth |
| transport the electric charge to the electrodes until it | | | | simulators and drug delivery devices as well as |
| reaches the device it is powering. The success of the | | | | implanted medical sensors running for years. There's |
| experiment has inspired hundreds of ideas for | | | | really an endless flowing of ideas and possibilities at |
| applications. Technical and ethical questions are | | | | the moment. The experiment may also lead for the |
| starting to emerge. | | | | development of failed experiments and as well as a |
| Researchers are planning to test the "glucose biofuel | | | | motivation for those that are yet to be tried. It has |
| cell" in larger animals. They are also looking forward | | | | reminded again those people concerned about the |
| for other improvements in their discovery, like making | | | | artificial organs. The technology is still considered to |
| the device more biocompatible and prolonging its | | | | by young and its practical or commercial use is still far |
| generating capacity. There will be a series of | | | | from reach. |