Scientists Prove Viability of Glucose as a Power Source

Glucose naturally found in the bloodstream could be used as an energy source for implantable medical devices.

Researchers in France have announced the development of the first functional glucose biofuel cell. Led by Philippe Cinquin, a team of scientists at Joseph Fourier University confined selected enzymes inside graphite discs placed in dialysis bags in a study on rodents. The device generated electricity as glucose and oxygen flowed into it, triggering enzymes to catalyse oxidation of the simple sugar. The maximum power generated by the biofuel cell in the experiment was 6.5 microwatts. In the research, the device produced power for three months. Such a device could theoretically produce power for the rest of the patient’s life.

Other researchers have attempted to use glucose to generate electricity the enzymes they used were not suitable for implants, because they either were inhibited by ions found in the body or required highly acidic conditions. By contrast, these constraints don’t apply to the recently developed device.

Potential applications of the research include biosensors, drug-delivery devices, insulin pumps, neural and bone-growth stimulators, and synthetic organs.

More information on the research is available from Scientific American and Technology Review.

Tags: biofuel cell, glucose, Philippe Cinquin