Glucose batteries

2002/11/12 Orobengoa, Olatz - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Teknologia
• Medikuntza

Glucose reacts with oxygen thanks to the enzyme glucose oxidase. The reaction in the metabolism is constant and this process generates energy. The new battery invented by chemists transforms this energy into electricity.

Because of the abundance of glucose in the blood, scientists believe that the stack can be used as an energy source for body study and control. It is capable of generating energy at blood temperature and pH (37ºC and 7.2 pH), in addition to generating as much energy as the batteries of a hand watch: 1.9 microwatts approximately.

The oxidation reaction of glucose is divided into two parts and each of them is produced in a battery electrode. An electrode contains the enzyme glucose oxidase. This enzyme removes electrons from glucose. In the second electrode, another enzyme yields these electrons to oxygen. Thus, as the reaction progresses, electrons generate an electric current.

The battery allows the construction of autonomous sensors energetically. For example, diabetics can contain blood glucose sensors. Or build devices to better understand the internal functioning of the body.

However, inventors claim that the stack is still too weak as it runs out pretty quickly. Therefore, they will still have to fine-tune the new technology.