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- Title
Power Generation from Human Leukocytes/Lymphocytes in Mammalian Biofuel Cell.
- Authors
Güven, Güray; Lozano-Sanchez, Pablo; Güven, Arcan
- Abstract
Alternative to batteries power sources is needed for the human implants of the future that tend to be less invasive andmore integrated to human biology and physiology. Humanmetabolism could be exploited for the generation of power, butmammalian cells protect their energy production apparatus from external electrochemical scavengers. We report here evidence that, in the case of white blood cells, chemical energy can be harvested directly on an electrode as electricity in fuel cells whose stability is roughly parallel to the viability of cells in vitro. Electrochemical activity of human leukocytes immobilized on modified carbon mesh electrodes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Oxidation peaks at 0.33V versus Ag/AgCl were observed. An open-circuit potential of 0.44V was recorded between anode and cathode compartments where the biofuel cell potential operating under an external load of 5 kΩ was below 0.35 V. Average power outputs of 10 μW (2.4 × 10-6 μW/cell) were increased to 15 μWby the activation of white blood cells. Power densities of 1.5 μW cm-2 for lower than physiological cell concentrations are low for most of today's implants, but possibility of cell immobilization allows a positive outlook for the future utility of the reported findings.
- Subjects
BIOMASS energy; FUEL cells; LEUCOCYTES; LYMPHOCYTES; ELECTROCHEMISTRY; MAMMALIAN cell cycle
- Publication
International Journal of Electrochemistry, 2013, p1
- ISSN
2090-3529
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1155/2013/706792