An implantable biofuel cell for a live insect

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Jan 25;134(3):1458-60. doi: 10.1021/ja210794c. Epub 2012 Jan 13.

Abstract

A biofuel cell incorporating a bienzymatic trehalase|glucose oxidase trehalose anode and a bilirubin oxidase dioxygen cathode using Os complexes grafted to a polymeric backbone as electron relays was designed and constructed. The specific power densities of the biofuel cell implanted in a female Blaberus discoidalis through incisions into its abdomen yielded maximum values of ca. 55 μW/cm(2) at 0.2 V that decreased by only ca. 5% after ca. 2.5 h of operation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Cockroaches / metabolism*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Glucose Oxidase / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / metabolism
  • Trehalase / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Glucose Oxidase
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • bilirubin oxidase
  • Trehalase