Abstract
Most implanted medical systems are limited by the size of their energy source (batteries). This limitation slows down the development of devices (such as autonomous subcutaneous sensors measuring glucose levels in diabetic patients) that would make patients totally autonomous, thus avoiding under- and overdosing of drugs. The aim of our work is to produce an alternative to the so-called " classic " batteries (lithium, zinc/air, etc.): glucose/O2 enzymatic biopiles. These miniature biopiles would operate autonomously(in vivo) under the skin, drawing chemical energy from the oxygen-glucose pair naturally present in physiological fluids. The selectivity of the enzymatic reactions enables the construction of a single-compartment cell, containing both the anodic reagent (glucose) and the cathodic reagent (oxygen). These biopiles could then power autonomous, implanted medical devices.
The operational power of a biopile depends mainly on : (1) the current density and voltage, which are defined by the choice of enzymes and polymers (which electrically connect the enzymes to the electrode surface) and (2) the specific surface area of the electrode. The development of biopiles therefore requires a multi-disciplinary approach ranging from materials chemistry, molecular and cell biology, enzymology to polymer chemistry. In addition to the " biopile " concept, this seminar will present a multidisciplinary approach that has enabled biological elements to be tightly integrated with electrodes in a controlled manner, and has enabled biopiles to be implanted in mice.
