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Researchers Develop Insect Powered Energy Source

cylonlover writes with this excerpt from an article at Gizmag: "Research into developing insect cyborgs for use as first responders or super stealthy spies has been going on for a while now. Most research has focused on using batteries, tiny solar cells, or piezoelectric generators to harvest kinetic energy from the movement of an insect's wings to power the electronics attached to the insects. Now a group of researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created a biofuel cell power supply that relies just on the insect's normal feeding [registration required to download full paper]."

6 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Neo, the Matrix has you! by slackware+3.6 · · Score: 5, Funny

    People are unhealthy enough as it is. I don't think your average american's body can afford to lose any more nutrients.

  2. Re:Neo, the Matrix has you! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Are you kidding?? This is the solution to Obesity Nation Wide! Use your own fat to power all your mobile devices.. i'm down!

  3. Re:Neo, the Matrix has you! by gentryx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yep, I do absolutely agree. Eat as much pizza as you want, but be sure to burn those calories by powering your laptop afterwards. It's a win-win situation!

    --
    Computer simulation made easy -- LibGeoDecomp
  4. PETA protests in 3..2..1.. by uncanny · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, they want humane treatment for insects too, i have a vegan friend that wont even eat honey or use silk

  5. "nutrients" vs. calories by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 5, Insightful

    First, let's skip the term "nutrients", which marketing and new-age blather have rendered meaningless for public discussion. This wouldn't consume vitamins and minerals. It would consume blood sugar or lipids, both of which average Americans have in great excess.

    I've been calling for this (blood-sugar power for implanted devices) for decades. It's easy to point out how obvious this solution is, because I'm not in a field that gives me any insight into the actual technical problems.

    If I had to power my computing and communication tools from my own body's stores of energy, I'd get to eat a lot more, and I'd probably still lose the spare tire.

    1. Re:"nutrients" vs. calories by HBI · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's easy to point out how obvious this solution is, because I'm not in a field that gives me any insight into the actual technical problems.

      I love this statement. I will use this in the future without reference to you in meatspace, sadly.

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.