Nano-biosupercapacitors enable autarkic sensor operation in blood.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 34426576.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-24863-6 and PMC identifier 8382768.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Today's smallest energy storage devices for in-vivo applications are larger than 3 mm<sup>3</sup> and lack the ability to continuously drive the complex functions of smart dust electronic and microrobotic systems. Here, we create a tubular biosupercapacitor occupying a mere volume of 1/1000 mm<sup>3</sup> (=1 nanoliter), yet delivering up to 1.6 V in blood. The tubular geometry of this nano-biosupercapacitor provides efficient self-protection against external forces from pulsating blood or muscle contraction. Redox enzymes and living cells, naturally present in blood boost the performance of the device by 40% and help to solve the self-discharging problem persistently encountered by miniaturized supercapacitors. At full capacity, the nano-biosupercapacitors drive a complex integrated sensor system to measure the pH-value in blood. This demonstration opens up opportunities for next generation intravascular implants and microrobotic systems operating in hard-to-reach small spaces deep inside the human body.
Medical subject headings
- Biosensing Techniques
- Blood
- Electric Capacitance
- Nanoparticles