Fuel cell How electricity can be generated with blood sugar

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Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an implantable fuel cell that generates electricity from excess glucose in the blood. This could potentially be used to power medical devices implanted on the body in the future.

In western industrialized nations, many people consume more carbohydrates than they need in their daily lives. The result is overweight, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. This inspired a research team from the Department of Biosystems at ETH Zurich to come up with the idea of using this surplus of metabolic energy to generate electricity for the operation of biomedical devices.

Self-sustaining insulin pump

In type 1 diabetics, the body does not produce insulin. Therefore, affected individuals must administer the hormone from the outside to regulate their blood sugar levels. Nowadays, this is mostly done through insulin pumps that are attached directly to the body. Such devices, as well as other medical applications such as pacemakers, require a reliable power supply. Currently, this is primarily ensured with electricity from batteries or rechargeable batteries.

The team led by Prof. Martin Fussenegger has now developed an implantable fuel cell as a prototype that uses excess blood sugar (glucose) from the tissue to generate electrical energy. The researchers combined the fuel cell with artificial beta cells that were developed several years ago, which, like their natural counterparts in the pancreas, produce insulin and effectively lower blood sugar levels.

Fuel cell in tea bag format

As reported by ETH Zurich, the core component of the fuel cell is a specially designed anode (electrode). It is made up of copper-based nanoparticles and catalyzes the breakdown of glucose into gluconic acid and a proton, initiating an electric current. The fuel cell itself is wrapped in a fleece and coated with alginate, a medically approved algae product. This gives the fuel cell a resemblance to a tea bag that can be implanted under the skin. The alginate absorbs bodily fluids and allows glucose from the tissue to pass into its interior.

Coupling with engineered beta cells

In a second step, the researchers coupled the fuel cell with a capsule containing artificial beta cells. These cells can be stimulated to produce and release insulin by electrical current or blue LED light. This system combines continuous power generation with controlled insulin delivery: Once the fuel cell detects an excess of glucose, the power production is activated. The electrical energy is then used to stimulate the beta cells, causing them to produce and release insulin into the bloodstream. This lowers the blood sugar level to a normal range. When the blood sugar level drops below a certain threshold, the power and insulin production cease. The researchers have successfully tested the prototype of the system in a mouse model.

Applicable for diabetes treatment

According to ETH Zurich, the fuel cell not only provides enough electrical energy to stimulate the designer cells but also enables the implanted system to communicate with external devices such as a smartphone. This allows potential users to adjust the system through a corresponding app. A doctor could also remotely access the system and make necessary adjustments.