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Human Blood For Electrical Power

Posted by Zonk on from the blaah-blaah! dept.

burner writes "A Japanese research team has developed a fuel cell that runs on blood without using toxic substances, opening the way for use in artificial hearts and other organs. The biological fuel cell uses glucose with a non-toxic substance used to draw electrons from glucose. So where should I have my laptop power port installed?"

22 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. So that's how they did it. by geekwithsoul · · Score: 5, Funny

    Always wondered how the machines used people as power in the Matrix. This explains everything!

    1. Re:So that's how they did it. by spikesahead · · Score: 5, Interesting

      If I recall correctly, I think Morpheus went on about how the human nervous system produced enough electricity to power a light bulb, and that the machines tapped into that energy to run themselves.

      Personally, though, I think it would have been cooler if the machines were using us as inexpensive processing units. What if, in the real world, you didn't actually have to sleep, and that 'sleep' is the machines using you to think? o.o

      --
      bend like the reed
    2. Re:So that's how they did it. by Sanguis+Mortuum · · Score: 5, Funny

      So, what you're saying is, the machines should have a Beowulf cluster of us? :-/

    3. Re:So that's how they did it. by 0zymandias · · Score: 5, Funny

      > So, what you're saying is, the machines should have a Beowulf cluster of us? :-/

      Only in soviet Russia.

      --
      "Danke daß Du mich gemolken hast" said the German cow.
    4. Re:So that's how they did it. by TheBoostedBrain · · Score: 5, Funny

      Do we run Linux?

      --
      -- When did Ignorance Become a Point of View?
    5. Re:So that's how they did it. by Seumas · · Score: 5, Funny

      Finally, a good use for all those nasty used tampons.

  2. In the future... by LewsTherinKinslayer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Virgins will be ritualistical sacrificed to power the laptops of the Profane!

  3. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?! by TheZ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We're totally bound to see Vampire robots!

    --
    -FweE-
    1. Re:DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?! by TheKidWho · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ohh god, don't give hollywood any ideas.

  4. Re:And I thought battery prices were high... by spikesahead · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who says you have to use your own blood?

    --
    bend like the reed
  5. That's funny... by MxReb0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Last time I checked, I run on blood, too...

    The line between technology and the living is thinning.

    --

    MAKE YOUR TIME
    1. Re:That's funny... by William+Robinson · · Score: 5, Informative
      In a way, you are right!! Read this from TFA

      Since the electron mediator is based on Vitamin K3, which exists in human bodies, it excels in safety and could in the future generate power from blood as an implant-type fuel cell)

      Though a bit distant, it might become possible to *fabricate* parts of bodies(not alone heart), that can be *powered* when implanted.

      --
      hilarious
  6. Wanted: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now all we need is a way to darken the sky.

  7. 0.2 mW by Seigen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Its interesting, but unless you can use multiple cells or something there is not enough power to run any kind of pump. Afaik one of the major issues with any kind of artificial heart is it kills some of the cells as it pumps. Still this kind of technology is definitely interesting, and who knows what might be possible in the long term.

  8. Dupe? by Escherial · · Score: 5, Informative

    Didn't slashdot report on this last year? Japanese researchers, check; using blood for energy, check...seems like a dupe, yeah.

    In any case, 0.2 milliwatts isn't exactly that much power: the AbiCor artificial heart documentation mentions that it consumes several watts from its external battery pack, a far cry from what this provides.

    Though, I can imagine a beowulf cluster of these. ;)

  9. Naturally... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    The power socket will be between the thighs...

    Oh... and only females can have the power sockets. Yeah, maybe that'll motivate all of us geeks to go and find some girlfriends. We need the power source!

    *SMACK*

    Oh sorry, I was having a geek wetdream. Reality is a harsh mistress.

  10. Where? by dougmc · · Score: 5, Funny
    So where should I have my laptop power port installed?
    Bend over. I'll show you ...
  11. Beautiful... by Dopefish128 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The poll's missing an option now.

    --
    "Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Study hard. Take over the world."
  12. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!-Alimony. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We're totally bound to see Vampire robots!"

    Met the ex-wife, have you?

  13. Re:And I thought battery prices were high... by mike518 · · Score: 5, Funny

    yes, i mean you may pass out... but its surely worth it in order to have the power to get to level 13 on tetris while out and about.

    besides what better story for the hospital -- any guy next to you can glorify his brave rushing into a burning building to safe children, but a level 14 related tetris concussion, now thats something to be proud of!

    --
    Mike
    I heart the RIAA & MPAA, im sure its mutual...
  14. Next time I'm seated on an airplane.... by cryptocom · · Score: 5, Funny

    and the guy next to me stops working on his laptop and starts looking at me weird, I'm gonna freak.

    --
    It takes just a moment and an action to destroy. It takes some time and thought to create.
  15. Just one question... by ro_coyote · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do I have enough blood to boot Longhorn, or should I wait for the Service Pack?