That slow and steady cyborg snail may have just enough juice to win the race.
Earlier this year, a cockroach was implanted with an enzyme-based biofuel that allowed it to produce power for sensors, recording devices, etc. Now a team from Clarkson University has reached a similar feat with a living snail.
The biofuel-cell-into-the-snail idea was from Evgeny Katz, the Milton Kerker Chaired Professor of Colloid Science at Clarkson University. The snail lived and provided electrical power for 6 months using glucose and oxygen in the snail’s blood as biofuel.
Innovative Biofuel Cell Technology
Katz’ team says the implanted biofuel cell would operate in a natural environment, making it suitable for powering various bioelectronics devices. This innovative technology leverages the natural metabolic processes of the snail to generate electricity. The biofuel cell works by harnessing the chemical energy from glucose and oxygen present in the snail’s blood, converting it into electrical energy. This method is not only sustainable but also environmentally friendly, as it does not rely on external power sources or batteries.
The implanted snails produced up to 7.45 microwatts, but this declined by 80 percent just after 45 minutes. Reducing the extracted power to 0.16 microwatts allowed for the drawing of continuous power. This indicates that while the initial power output is high, it stabilizes at a lower level, which is still sufficient for low-power applications. The continuous power output, although small, is significant for the development of self-sustaining bioelectronic devices.
Future Prospects and Applications
After her project with snails, Katz is planning to charge larger creatures, like lobsters. The choice of lobsters is intriguing because they have a larger body mass and potentially more blood volume, which could result in higher power outputs. This could open up new possibilities for biofuel cells in marine environments, where lobsters naturally thrive. The potential applications of this technology are vast, ranging from environmental monitoring to medical implants.
For instance, biofuel cells could be used to power sensors that monitor water quality in oceans and rivers, providing real-time data on pollution levels. In the medical field, biofuel cells could be implanted in patients to power medical devices such as pacemakers or glucose monitors, reducing the need for battery replacements and surgeries. The ability to generate power from living organisms also paves the way for the development of new types of biohybrid robots, which could be used in search and rescue missions or hazardous environments.
Katz’s research was published online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. This publication highlights the scientific community’s interest in biofuel cells and their potential to revolutionize the way we think about energy generation and consumption.
The development of biofuel cells in snails and other living organisms represents a significant step forward in the field of bioelectronics. By harnessing the natural metabolic processes of these creatures, researchers can create sustainable and environmentally friendly power sources for a wide range of applications. As this technology continues to evolve, it holds the promise of transforming industries and improving the quality of life for people around the world.
Source: Gizmag
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