Implantable, miniaturized microbial fuel cell
US7160637B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A miniaturized microbial fuel cell is described deriving electrical power from the biological activity of microbes, typically the metabolism of glucose by baker's yeast. Microfabrication techniques are used to miniaturize the components as well as the overall fuel cell and are capable of integration with other biomedical and implantable devices. Substantial reductions in both the size and the cost of implantable systems are thereby achievable. Electrode structures are used that facilitate electron transfer and power production giving favorable power densities in a miniature fuel cell. In addition, the microbial fuel cell of the present invention extracts glucose or other metabolite(s) from the ambient body fluids as its fuel, thus achieving a renewable, long-term power source for implantable biomedical devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.