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Electrical Power From Humans

Coisiche writes "The BBC covers a team of scientists who are working on a new way to power medical implants: an internal biofuel cell. From the article: 'Their gadget, called a biofuel cell, uses glucose and oxygen at concentrations found in the body to generate electricity. They are the first group in the world to demonstrate their device working while implanted in a living animal. If all goes to plan, within a decade or two, biofuel cells may be used to power a range of medical implants, from sensors and drug delivery devices to entire artificial organs. All you'll need to do to power them up is eat a candy bar, or drink a coke. ... In 2010, they tested their fuel cell in a rat for 40 days and reported that it worked flawlessly, producing a steady electrical current throughout, with no noticeable side effects on the rat's behavior or physiology.' Of course, there's never been a sci-fi movie using such technology as a plot device..."

4 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Watch Out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm pretty sure the Matrix is going to read this paper and keep it on file for later, after it's world domination plan is complete.

  2. Re:Really cool by SpiralSpirit · · Score: 1, Funny

    and power their vehicles at the same time. My Ford Fusion gets 7km/chocolate bar!

  3. Re:USB by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why do that?

    Embed your iPhone into your chest cavity- put a speaker in your ear.

    Rename it "I, Phone"

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  4. Couch Power by malevolentjelly · · Score: 3, Funny

    I, for one, look forward to quitting my job and simply setting myself on top of an inductive charging couch, watching TV, and eating as much fattening food as possible to sell my bio-power back to the grid. I aspire to one day becoming something like a defecating tree.