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Scientists Implant Biofuel Cells Into Rats
RedmondChris writes "A team of scientists from Joseph Fourier University in France have successfully implanted biofuel cells into rats, generating 6.5 microwatts by harnessing the power of glucose. From the article: 'The device uses enzymes to harvest energy from glucose and oxygen found naturally in the body. Past attempts at using such a device in animals have failed because the enzymes have required acidic conditions or were inhibited by charged particles in the fluid surrounding cells. But Philippe Cinquin and his team from Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, France, overcame these obstacles by confining selected enzymes inside graphite discs that were placed into dialysis bags. Glucose and oxygen flowed into the device, but enzymes stayed in place and catalyzed the oxidation of glucose to generate electrical energy.'"
Except The Matrix is a The Maze full of rats.
Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
I guess its only a matter of time before we have big towers full of humans in glowy red fluid which generate electricity. And hovercrafts, lots of hovercrafts.
If the carbon tax passes, do we tax it based on the amount of carbon in the glucose, or what???
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Marty: Are you telling me that this sucker is nuclear?
Doc Brown: No, no, no, no, no. This sucker's electrical. But I need a rat to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need.
Wow, a second metabolism for charging my cellphone/laptop/plug-in hybrid? Sounds great! I wonder approximately how many miles of range you could get out of a big mac? "Yeah I better supersize that sucker, i'm headed out of town this weekend!"
Customer: Yes, I would like the biofuel cell package installed.
Store Rep: No problem... how much were you looking for?
Customer: I got one of those new holographic iGotta2HavIt's and about 15 pounds to lose....
Store Rep: You want the BF2000.... now of course you will also need the battery pack installed which is this 12 inch long unit we shove...
Customer: Does that come in black?
Store Rep: Lot's of people ask that... yes we do.
I can totally see a hypoglycemic person frantically fumbling through his pockets to turn on enough electronic gadgets to burn up all the extra glucose before it's too late.
"My netbook is going into power saving mode? NOOOOOO!"
Remember: You will not be able to change the batteries on your iRat. There are no serviceable parts inside.
We'll be getting more of this magical product to market, as soon as Steve finishes playing his iPipe.
If your kids go missing, don't worry, Think Furry (TM)
--
Toro
rats undergo a series of scientific experiments through the ages. They'll be the first to get neural implants that highly increase cognitive function. They'll be the first to connect to the internet directly through the brain. Aliens might assume they are more intelligent than us on first glance. Sitting around reproducing, reaping the rewards of science while humans do all the gruntwork...
They have been planning this from the beginning.
Yeah, but how many watts can you get just by burning a pile of dead rats?
Poor means hoping the toothache goes away.
I'd hope that these power sources are hooked up to pacemakers or other bio-med devices... Current batteries are OK, but require surgery to replace.
Whereas these new batteries are OK, but require sugary to replace?
Rampant carbon sequestration destroyed the Dinosaurs' tropical paradise. I'm here to help repair the damage.
I'd be more worried about what the scientists were doing in kids in the first place, but that's just me
... still waiting for this free-as-in-beer free beer I keep hearing about.