A Bioresorbable and Bioimplantable Energy Harvesting-Storage Integrated System as Wireless Power Supply for...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Transient energy devices offer solutions for implantable biomedical electronics and environmental sensors.
• Existing power supplies lack biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high electrochemical performance.
• There is a need for advanced power solutions for next-generation biomedical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bioresorbable and bioimplantable wireless energy harvesting-storage system (WEHSS).
• To create a zinc-ion battery with a hydrogel electrolyte for enhanced performance and safety.
• To evaluate the in-vivo biocompatibility and degradation of the WEHSS.

Main Methods:

• Electromagnetic energy harvesting via a planar coil using near-field inductive coupling.
• Integration of a bioresorbable zinc-ion battery (BZIB) using a glucose/zinc sulfate/gelatin (Glu/ZS/Gel) hydrogel electrolyte.
• In-vivo biocompatibility testing in living rabbit models.

Main Results:

• The WEHSS demonstrated efficient wireless energy harvesting and storage.
• The Glu/ZS/Gel hydrogel electrolyte inhibited Zn dendrite growth and electrode corrosion.
• Full in-vivo degradation within 16 weeks was observed without adverse biological reactions.
• The system exhibited fast charging and robust power output.

Conclusions:

• The developed WEHSS is a promising bioresorbable and bioimplantable power supply option.
• The novel hydrogel electrolyte enhances the performance and safety of zinc-ion batteries.
• The system meets critical requirements for practical applications in biomedical electronics.