New Battery Technology Powers For 12 Years

wellington map writes "University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists say they are developing a new lithium battery technology capable of making batteries smaller, last longer and, soon, accept a charge from outside the body without the need for surgery. These organosilicon batteries are projected to power tiny implantable devices for more than 12 years."

Comments

Re:Blegh.

[Anonymous Coward]

Also the summary doesn't make sense without the word 'pacemaker' in there somewhere. I had to actually read the article!

Step backwards

[dustrider]

Best thing I've seen for implanted devices, such as cochlear implants is an article from two years ago by some japanese researchers than managed to build a fuel cell based on blood.

It mimics the processes of mitochondria in human cells, i.e. uses glucose and O2 to create some form of ionisation.

So why have a battery that expires in 12 years when you could just have something that is indeffinately powered by your own body processes, and lose a little weight in the process.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/03/10598492 78131.html

Re:Lithium?

[general_re]

Considering that pacemakers have been powered by lithium batteries for nearly thirty years now, I suspect that the lithium content of any new battery will hardly be a dealbreaker.