Nanogenerator That Can Generate Electricity From The Bloodstream

Yes, you heard right. A group of scientists in China at the Fudan University in Shanghai created a small nanogenerator with the thickness of less than 1 millimeter that has the capability of generating electricity from the blood flowing through our blood vessels. Imagine the human body being able to power pacemakers and other medical devices on its own, without the need of external power sources, and surgery for their replacements. Imagine your clothing being able to charge your iPhone! These are just a few of the many applications that this amazing nanogenerator can be capable of when using our bloodstream as an electricity source.

Credit: http://www.ahctherapies.com/live-blood-analysis/great-health-blood-stream/

The team of researchers responsible for this discovery named their mini electricity generator the “fiber-shaped fluidic nanogenerator” (FFNG). The concept is the same as a hydropower plant producing electricity with the flow of water that spins a turbine for electricity generation. The fiber-shaped nanogenerator produces electricity with the flow of blood, or a saline solution in a tube.

The scientists say that the electricity generation is possible with the movement of the saline solution and the FFNG. This less than 1 millimeter fiber is long, delicate, lightweight, stretchable, and elastic. The FFNG is made of carbon nanotubes that are electro-active, and are wrapped around a fiber core that when surrounded by the flow of saline solution or blood, produce electricity much like a turbine. The researchers say that the electricity output is more than 20 percent, which is higher than most smaller energy-producing devices.

First testing of the nanogenerator was done on frog nerves, and is said by the team to be successful with producing electricity. It is not yet known how much energy can be created through the human body using the FFNG; however, if testing is successful with our bodies, the sky is the limit with a slew of applications. 

Sources:

http://www.ibtimes.com/fiber-shaped-fluidic-nanogenerator-will-generate-electricity-your-bloodstream-2588119

https://www.inverse.com/article/36255-blood-harvest-electricity