An implantable biofuel cell for a live insect
- Detailed Technology Description
- Insect-powered fuel cells
- *Abstract
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Biofuel cells represent a class of fuel cells whereby electrodes are modified by enzymes, which help catalyze highly specific oxidation reduction reactions.
The device of this invention converts chemical energy contained in the blood of an insect into electrical energy to power electronic circuitry mounted on the insect that can transmit signals wirelessly to an external receiver, while allowing the insect to move freely. The sequence of enzymatic reaction processes thus leveraged produces a continuous electric current that can be used to charge a microbattery or capacitor for use in multiple applications particularly those involving sensors. This concept has been reduced to practice by implanting both a bioenzymatic trehalose anode and an enzymatic oxygen cathode into the abdomen of Blaberus discoidalis, a cockroach, and using the electrical energy produced by the biofuel cell to power a custom designed circuit mounted on the insect allowing in the case of a cockroach to move freely that produces signals which can wirelessly be transmitted to a receiver placed at a close distance. The same approach was successfully implemented for the moth Manduca Sexta, except that the present circuit was too heavy to enable the insect to fly.
These findings have opened exciting possibilities, including the use of electrical energy for controlling insect behavior by electrical stimulation of their nervous system, and thus achieve control of its behavior from a distance.
- Country/Region
- USA
