An Implantable Ionic Wireless Power Transfer System Facilitating Electrosynthesis.

Kim, Chong-Chan; Kim, Younghye; Jeong, Seol-Ha; Oh, Kyu Hwan; Nam, Ki Tae; Sun, Jeong-Yun · ACS Nano · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A number of implantable biomedical devices have been developed, and wireless power transfer (WPT) systems are emerging as a way to provide power to these devices without requiring a hardwired connection. Most of the WPT has been based on conventional conductive materials, such as metals, which tend to be less biocompatible and stiff. Herein, we describe a development of an ionic wireless power transfer (IWPT) system using hydrogel receivers that are soft and biocompatible. Although the hydrogel receiver has a lower conductivity than metal (ρ<sub>gel</sub>/ρ<sub>metal</sub> ∼ 10<sup>-7</sup>), a capacitive coupling between receiver and transmitter enables the IWPT to deliver 4 mA of current at its resonance frequency. The capacitive coupling through the dielectric and the electrolyte was analyzed including a parasitic effect, and the IWPT was applied to implantable devices to transfer power <i>via</i> the skin. The IWPT system was further developed to facilitate electrosynthesis. Generation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, a reducing agent in metabolism, was demonstrated by IWPT to show its potential for electrosynthesis.