Melanin-Based Batteries Can Be Swallowed Safely

Aug-26-16 Researchers have developed an innovative new ingestible battery made of materials found in the human body.

The coming generation of smart medical capsules will also demand a battery that is safe enough to be swallowed. To improve upon current options—which still use some toxic materials—a team from Carnegie Mellon University developed a battery that uses melanin as either the anode or the cathode. The other terminal is made of a non-toxic material such as manganese oxide, and the electrolyte is made of the same fluid that is found in the GI tract. The entire battery is wrapped in gelatin, and will degrade harmlessly after about 20 hours in the patient’s system.

More Info about this Invention:

[NEWATLAS.COM]
[ACS.ORG]

---