Biological fuel cell runs on blood

Researchers in (drumroll, please…) Japan have come up with a fuel cell that runs on blood and contains no toxic materials, making it potentially useful in artificial hearts and other organs. The cells use a non-toxic substance to draw electrons from glucose, a sugar in our blood. Whereas most fuel cells use a metal complex, the electron mediator in this system is based in Vitamin K3 which naturally exists in our bodies, making it an extremely safe choice as an implant-type fuel cell. The size of a small coin, the fuel cell can generate 0.2 milliwatts of electricity, which is enough to power a device measuring and transmitting data on blood sugar levels. Fantastic — won't be long before one of us neo-tribalists gets some sort of conduit implanted so we can recharge our cellphones on the fly.

[Via Futurismic]

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I can only hope this is a prelude to the cybernetic brain enhancements of cyberpunk ledgerdemain.

Batou, Kusanagi, Ishikawa...here I come!

[dudeInAmerica @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Human blood? Fuel Cell?

Please insert "Matrix" or "Vampire" references here.

[Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

id love something implanted in me that gave me blood pressure, heart rate, etc..how about sitcking like 5 of these in there anda little fm transmitter - that would be dope for parties. you can mix tracks around your own heartbeat :x

[dingo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Great Vampiric robots running around taking victims to charge their fuel cells.

[0ndks4 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

This is incredible - no more diabetes..! Connect this thing to an insulin pump and millions of people will essentially be 'cured'.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I for one welcome our blood-drinking robot overlords...
(beat ya)

[KirbyMeister @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

(insert GITS reference here)

[adi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

combine this with self replicating robots, and you have yourself the perfect human-ender

[tigerXP @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

soylent green is people!!!
not to mention we now have something to do with all those comatose patients in ward 5.