Animal Experiments with Biogalvanic and Biofuel Cells

Abstract

Animal experiments with biogalvanic cells have demonstrated that an average power of 80 μW can be derived continuously for at least 2 years. There is a further scope to stabilize the power at 100 μW for considerably longer periods so that the chances of cardiac pacing with biogalvanic power have become bright. However, large scale efforts are necessary in establishing the statistical reliability and the secured performance which are expensive and time consuming. Animal experiments with biofuel cells are still in preliminary stages. We derived a continuous power of 40 μW (4 μW/cm²) at 575 mV over 150 days so far. This is the longest recorded period with such a high power density. The main problem in deriving higher power over longer period is to properly encapsulate the cell with materials which are hydrophilic and essentially biocompatible.