The experiment for the generation of electricity from blood flow. Left — inactive e-ink display, right — connected to the fuel element
Chemists from the University of malmö (Sweden) and the Kurchatov Institute were first tested on a human fuel cell capable of generating electricity when in contact with blood flow. His power was enough to provide electricity to a small display on the electronic ink. A study published in the journal RSC Advances, briefly about it reports the blog Royal society of chemistry.
The device consists of two tubular graphite electrode, through which passes the flow of blood. Each of them are specific electrochemical reaction. In the first the oxidation of glucose, accompanied by the release into the environment of hydrogen ions. The second electrode is reduction reaction of oxygen dissolved in blood as a result of the four hydrogen ions and one molecule of oxygen form two molecules of water. In the end, between the two electrodes an electric voltage is generated. Exactly the same process, but based on a more simple reactions, is one of the classic studies, in which between the copper and zinc nails stuck in a lemon an electric current.
On the electrode surface deposited proteins enzymes that accelerate these chemical reactions. Oxidation of glucose (gluconolactone), for example, catalyzes cellulitecellulite, and the restoration of oxygen — the result of the activity of bilirubinaemia, oxidizing blood bilirubin to biliverdin.
In ex vivo experiment, the volunteers from the research group introduced into the median cubital vein catheter. At the other end was the fuel cell, through which the blood flowed in a pre-prepared vessel. The scientists measured the voltage and current generated by the element, and connect a small e-ink display.The experiment showed that despite the relatively small capacity of the element, only 0.74 microwatt, it was enough to change the picture on the display. The operating voltage of the element amounted to a few tenths of a volt. Just spent five of such experiments, each of which corresponded to the loss of blood from volunteer 200 milliliters.
Connecting e-ink display to the fuel element working on the oxidation of blood glucose. A, B, C, D — wiring diagram of the catheter, the E — ink display, receiving power from a fuel cell next to the inactive display
The researchers note that all previous work on the development of such devices was accompanied by experiments in vitro “in vitro”. Such experiments do not account for blood viscosity, the velocity of its flow and many other parameters of the human circulatory system.
Fuel cells are called electrochemical cells, creating a potential difference due to the reactions of oxidation and reduction occurring in their electrodes. In contrast to the traditional electrochemical cells, e.g. batteries, fuel for the electrochemical reactions is supplied to them from the outside in unlimited quantities. Capacity of batteries is limited stored in them substance.
Vladimir Korolev
