A new battery, resembling edible rice paper, has been developed to power swallowable electronic medical devices. Once digested, its components are safely absorbed by the body. Tested in pigs, this innovation could one day power ingestible devices for health monitoring or disease treatment. Researchers tested the battery in devices that transmit data from inside the body and stimulate the stomach to release hunger-regulating hormones. Unlike conventional batteries, which can be hazardous if they leak, this battery is made from non-toxic materials like magnesium and molybdenum trioxide, both essential micronutrients. The electrolyte is a biodegradable ionic liquid, and the packaging is a cellulose-based coating inspired by edible rice-paper wrappers, with beeswax to resist stomach acid. This development could revolutionize medical technology by providing a safer power source for internal devices.
QUESTION: How might the development of non-toxic, digestible batteries change the future of medical treatments and patient care?
Edible batteries power medical devices in the body
