Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

CTOnews.com, April 3 (Xinhua) researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a miniature fuel cell that can generate electricity from excess glucose (blood sugar) in the blood and power implantable medical devices easily and reliably without external power, including an implant that can automatically manage type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that prevents the body from producing insulin naturally, causing blood sugar levels to rise too high. According to CTOnews.com, the team tested a capsule implant containing artificial beta cells in 2016. When stimulated by electricity or blue LED lights, these cells can secrete and release insulin on their own, making it easier for patients to control blood sugar levels.

Until now, the system still lacks a feasible power supply. The researchers' solution is a fuel cell implant similar to a tea bag that converts excess blood sugar from foods such as carbohydrates into electricity.

The outer layer of the fuel cell consists of a medically certified seaweed product, alginate, which absorbs body fluids and allows glucose to pass through the cell. The copper nanoparticles that make up the fuel cell break down glucose into gluconic acid and a proton to generate electricity.

When high blood sugar is detected, the fuel cell starts and tells the beta cells to release insulin. When blood sugar levels return to normal, the battery shuts down automatically. In addition, it can be connected to a mobile app to help patients and doctors monitor changes in indicators and regulate the operation of devices in the body.

For decades, scientists have been theoretically discussing a self-regulating biofuel cell that can use human energy to power medical devices such as pacemakers without the need for batteries or other external power sources. Advances in science and technology may finally make the theory a reality.

However, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology lacks the financial and human resources needed to bring its ideas to market. And they only tested the device on mice. It may take a long process of further testing and fund-raising before the fuel cell can help humans treat diabetes.

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