Scientists Implant Biofuel Cells Into Rats

RedmondChris writes "A team of scientists from Joseph Fourier University in France have successfully implanted biofuel cells into rats, generating 6.5 microwatts by harnessing the power of glucose. From the article: 'The device uses enzymes to harvest energy from glucose and oxygen found naturally in the body. Past attempts at using such a device in animals have failed because the enzymes have required acidic conditions or were inhibited by charged particles in the fluid surrounding cells. But Philippe Cinquin and his team from Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, France, overcame these obstacles by confining selected enzymes inside graphite discs that were placed into dialysis bags. Glucose and oxygen flowed into the device, but enzymes stayed in place and catalyzed the oxidation of glucose to generate electrical energy.'"

I for one...

[AnonGCB]

... Welcome our new cyborg rat overlords!

Re:

[sortius_nod]

We're a few steps from sharks with frickin laser beams!

Re:

[Captain Hook]

not to mention zombies that walk without needing food.

Umm, where did you get that from?

Re:

[somersault]

Why would you need a headset when you already have a phone implanted in your head?

Life imitates the movies....

[GaryOlson]

Except The Matrix is a The Maze full of rats.

Re:

[rakslice]

er... Link?

Re:

[fzammett]

I've always loved that line... it's kind of like saying that I can break a quantum cryptography cipher with a Commodore 64... combined with a form of Deep Thought!

I mean, if I have the immensely-powerful Deep Thought (fusion) to begin with, why do I need the relatively minor power of a C64 (human body) added to it?!?

I know, I know, trick question: the C64, unlike a human body, allows me to play Jumpman Jr., Hover Bover, Space Taxi and Impossible Mission, and that's gotta count for something :)

The Matrix

[zaydana]

I guess its only a matter of time before we have big towers full of humans in glowy red fluid which generate electricity. And hovercrafts, lots of hovercrafts.

Re:

[zoloto]

I love how you were modded redundant, as if there's a big "DUH" tag we could stick on this news story.

Re:

[Hurricane78]

My hovercraft is full of humans.
Do you wayaahhnt... do you wahaant to come back to my Matrix? Bouncy bouncy!

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[ElectricTurtle]

My electrodes explode with delight!

Yes, but how will we tax it?

[davidwr]

If the carbon tax [slashdot.org] passes, do we tax it based on the amount of carbon in the glucose, or what???

Re:

[sys.stdout.write]

I love how your first thought after reading about a new scientific breakthrough is "How can we tax this???"

You should run for office in Massachusetts.

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[lena_10326]

Massachutax.

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[dontbgay]

It seems as if your sig contains some irony.

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[metrometro]

If the carbon tax [slashdot.org] passes, do we tax it based on the amount of carbon in the glucose, or what???

This is why we need cap and trade, not a carbon tax. If I can produce energy that's carbon neutral, I'll get paid to be fat.

Re:Yes, but how will we tax it?

[rjch]

This is why we need cap and trade, not a carbon tax. If I can produce energy that's carbon neutral, I'll get paid to be fat

The problem with that is that generally speaking the fatter you are, the more you fart. Since there's carbon dioxide and quite frequently methane in the resulting... expulsion... you're contributing to global warming that way.

Re:

[ZeroExistenZ]

The problem with that is that generally speaking the fatter you are, the more you fart. Since there's carbon dioxide and quite frequently methane in the resulting... expulsion... you're contributing to global warming that way.

wow: (with other words) so they could/should raise fastfood and snacktax?

"If you eat unhealthy, you grow fatter and polute more by flatulence"

Consumer reasons: "I didn't know it makes me fart more, the companies providing me this should carry the tax"

Producer reasons: "We get flatulenc

Back To The Future

[AnotherAnonymousUser]

Marty: Are you telling me that this sucker is nuclear?
Doc Brown: No, no, no, no, no. This sucker's electrical. But I need a rat to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need.

Re:

[ArsonSmith]

I'm sure in 1985 you can get a rat in any corner drug store, but in 1953 they're a little hard to come by.

(was it 1953? don't feel like looking it up)

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[saforrest]

(was it 1953? don't feel like looking it up)

1955. Don't ask me why I remember that.

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[Captain Hook]

OK, I won't ask.

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[Rollgunner]

For 1.21 gigawatts, you're going to need a little over 200 trillion rats (at 6.5 milliwatts each)... I do not volunteer to do the wiring.

Metabolism number two

[MachDelta]

Wow, a second metabolism for charging my cellphone/laptop/plug-in hybrid? Sounds great! I wonder approximately how many miles of range you could get out of a big mac? "Yeah I better supersize that sucker, i'm headed out of town this weekend!"

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[MichaelSmith]

More likely an insulin pump and eventually an artificial heart.

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[Nadaka]

You are not thinking strait, those are practical medical applications.

This things first real application in humans? A weight loss supplement for the fabulously wealthy.

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[MichaelSmith]

Coupled to internal LED safety lights? I hate bumping into naked people in dark alleys.

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[bkr1_2k]

I hate bumping into naked people in dark alleys.

Then you're doing it wrong.

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[jginspace]

I was thinking the same. Or the other side of the coin: an eat-as-much-as-you-like enabler. Gluttons can overdose on pizza then have enough glucose to give their netbook a full charge.

Re:Metabolism number two

[Kreigaffe]

That was my first thought. This could bring Americans back from the brink of fat jokes and into the forefront of human-powered portable devices -- while slimming us down at the same time. Think about that! No change in lifestyle or habits, but you're thinner AND you don't have to plug your cellphone in ever again!

My second thought was "holy sweet shit I want a laser in my index finger"

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[L4t3r4lu5]

I find the fact that you would have to actually plug in your cell phone to charge it a big turn off.

Or turn on ;)

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[Nadaka]

Just put it in vibrate mode, you wouldn't want to get interrupted, or maybe you would?

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[mdielmann]

One of my first thoughts was the fantasy novel Demon Blade [webscription.net]. Magic is fueled by life energy, and you can get it from yourself, or your surroundings. Hence, wizards spent a lot of their free time eating and getting fat. Gotta be prepared...

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[NicknamesAreStupid]

This gives a whole new meaning to "feeling rundown," "recharge my batteries," and "pump me up."

So can we...

[sv_libertarian]

Do this to politicians too, and make them finally serve a useful purpose?

effects on the host?

[timmarhy]

i have to wonder what the effects on the host would be. sounds like a really complex way to generate power rath then just burning the fuel to produce steam etc.

Re:effects on the host?

[JoshuaZ]

The major advantage is that it becomes a plausible source of power for implanted devices. Health monitoring devices but also storage, computer interfaces, pretty much anything you can imagine. This sort of technology makes cyborg implants much more plausible.

Re:

[Shikaku]

This gives a whole new meaning and whole new way to burn fat. Just plug in the TV to yourself and watch those pounds melt away!

Re:effects on the host?

[GuruBuckaroo]

Yeah, but how many watts can you get just by burning a pile of dead rats?

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[Linker3000]

Maybe it's on $YourFavouriteBurgerRestarant web site under 'Nutritional information' - look for something marked up in 'calories'.

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[fractoid]

i have to wonder what the effects on the host would be. sounds like a really complex way to generate power rath then just burning the fuel to produce steam etc.

Or getting them to turn a crank or walk on a treadmill... Just doing some exercise is the simplest, healthiest AND it helps your muscles turn into something that prospective partners would *want* to look at.

These scientists, I tell ya.

[AnonymousClown]

I wonder if they were the kids who poured gasoline in cat's asses and watched them run around until they stopped. You know, the cats ran out of gas.

Now it's biofuels. You can take the scientist out of the kid but not the kid out of the scientist ... or something....

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[Kreigaffe]

I'd be more worried about what the scientists were doing in kids in the first place, but that's just me

A true renewable power solution

[texwtf]

How soon can we hook them up to The Matrix?

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[thehostiles]

we only need to do that if they become troublesome and don't stay in stasis

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[fractoid]

I'd hope that these power sources are hooked up to pacemakers or other bio-med devices... Current batteries are OK, but require surgery to replace.

Whereas these new batteries are OK, but require sugary to replace?

Acidic Conditions?

[flaming error]

"Past attempts ... have failed because the enzymes have required acidic conditions"
Maybe it would work with fatty acids. We could install permanent liposuction ports to our bellies and recharge our cell phones on the go.

Now that we have the power source ...

[Evil Pete]

... we can attach the lasers to their heads.

Enough power for a pacemaker?

[hrvatska]

After reading TFA, I was left wondering if this technique could be used to generate enough power to eliminate or reduce the need to replace pacemaker batteries.

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[pinkushun]

The maximum power of the device was 6.5 microwatts, which approaches the 10 microwatts required by pacemakers.

"I'm optimistic that we will get tens of milliwatts in future versions," he says.

"Reading TFA", suuuure...

Re:Enough power for a pacemaker?

[hrvatska]

I had heard that current rechargeable pacemakers aren't as popular as the non-rechargeable units because they're much bigger and bulkier than non-rechargeable units.

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[Ichijo]

I had heard that current rechargeable pacemakers aren't as popular as the non-rechargeable units because they're much bigger and bulkier than non-rechargeable units.

If it's due to the size of the battery, this glucose fuel cell could eliminate the need for batteries entirely.

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[bkr1_2k]

Think outside of the USA. There is no reason to replace something (especially a pace maker) if it's functioning properly. That said, there's also no reason someone couldn't go in for an "upgrade" if they had some reason they thought their "decades-old machinery" wasn't working properly.

Diabetics

[AMMalena]

Anyone consider the possibility of a device that not only produces energy from the body, but also uses up glucose? A device that conceivably could both help eat up Glucose and POWER a MONITOR to help see how the diabetic is doing??

I happen to be a highly insulin-resistant Type 2, and this was the first thing I thought of when I read this.

Re:Diabetics

[marciot]

I can totally see a hypoglycemic person frantically fumbling through his pockets to turn on enough electronic gadgets to burn up all the extra glucose before it's too late.

"My netbook is going into power saving mode? NOOOOOO!"

Re:Diabetics

[compro01]

That should be hyperglycemic. Hypoglycemic means the blood sugar is too low.

Re:

[DigitalReverend]

Right, and if the electricity is being produced by the glucose (blood sugar) and it gets too low, then the device will go into power saving mode due to lack of enough energy.

Here's your sign.

Oops, give me back the sign please.

[DigitalReverend]

Ahh I see after reading through the thread a 4th time that you may be right. When I read the ggp, I read he was going through his pockets looking for some candy to keep the device one. But if he was going through hit pockets looking to turn on other devices to use up excess glucose, then that indeed would be hyperglycemia. My apologies.

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[Sockatume]

Why would a hypoglycemic want to turn on their gadgets to "burn up all the extra glucose"? That would just exacerbate the problem. I think you've read the parent without reading the grandparent.

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[marciot]

Correct. I meant hypoglycemic. My bad.

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[marciot]

Correct. I meant hypoglycemic. My bad.

Argh. I mean, I meant hyperglycemic. Darn it. I made the same mistake twice.

Why just blood sugar?

[Alwin Henseler]

Anyone consider the possibility of a device that not only produces energy from the body, but also uses up glucose? A device that conceivably could both help eat up Glucose and POWER a MONITOR to help see how the diabetic is doing??

Forget monitor, just a bio-fueled sensor that beams readings to an external display device (like your BlueTooth-enabled cellphone?). But: I think you need a good reason to implant any foreign object into the body. I can appreciate the urge if you're a diabetic that would benefit from regular blood-sugar monitoring. But if you're going to implant a sensor for that, why not a sensor that measures a much larger set of interesting blood levels? And at that point, it could be interesting for anyone that wants to

Re:

[MichaelSmith]

How about a device which directly filters bacteria out of the blood stream? Or a remotely controlled robot which can eat out the interior of an otherwise inoperable tumor?

Re:Why just blood sugar?

[Jesus_666]

Yeah, it sounds nice on paper but that's 0.6 Essence and 8,000 Nuyen you're looking at, chummer. Sure, if you rely on DocWagon to save your hide that display might just give them the time to do so but if you catch a bullet you don't need a chunk of cyberware to tell you you're bleeding. Well, unless you're a chrome junkie with a pain editor, in which case the 0.6 Essence ain't an issue anymore.

Much likelier situation:

[denzacar]

To signal you things like: "now would be a good time to eat a potassium-rich food item", "you're just within the legal limit on your blood alcohol", etc. etc. etc. besides watch your glucose level. If application for diabetics drives this forward: good for you.

"I see that you are eating pancakes. Click here to download full version of pancakes."
"CONGRATULATION! YOU HAVE JUST WON 100.000 pancakes! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!"
"You like pancakes? Meet girls who like pancakes tonight."
* [TRUSTED DOWNLOAD] pancakes
* pancakes.full.rar
* pancakes [FULL VERSION]
* pancakes [HIGH SPEED]

Re:Diabetics

[GuruBuckaroo]

Just... just fuck you. Seriously.

Re:

[fractoid]

get a bariatric surgery and some crystal meth...

Or just spend 48 hours every weekend, up to your eyeballs in a cocktail of speed and MDMA, dancing your ass off. I know a guy that dropped like 60kg like that in a few months, then quit when he was at a healthy weight. Risky and illegal but damned if it ain't effective.

Re:

[Hurricane78]

What you failed to mention, is that he neither had any teeth, hair, money or immune system left.
(If that reminds you of a zombie, you’re not the only one.)

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[fractoid]

Actually I'd have thought so but I met him years later, he was still fit, healthy, and basically much better off for it. I asked and he said he'd kept up the clubbing for about 3 months before getting bored and giving it up.

Then again he said something about his girlfriend leaving when he bought a Glowing Brightwood Staff in WoW, so I know he was a noob. Any fool would get the Rod of the Ogre Magi at 60 and save themselves 500g...

Only a matter of time

[EdIII]

Customer: Yes, I would like the biofuel cell package installed.
Store Rep: No problem... how much were you looking for?
Customer: I got one of those new holographic iGotta2HavIt's and about 15 pounds to lose....
Store Rep: You want the BF2000.... now of course you will also need the battery pack installed which is this 12 inch long unit we shove...
Customer: Does that come in black?
Store Rep: Lot's of people ask that... yes we do.

Conversation in the near future

[hyades1]

"That's a really nice smart phone, man! But doesn't a screen that size really suck power"

"Well, yeah, a bit, but it comes with a 20 rat-power charger. Fifteen minutes in the cage and it's good to go."

Rats in your tank ?

[barath_s]

So we have gone now from putting a Tiger [versacreations.net]in your tank to putting Rats in your tank ? Whatever next ? Snakes on a plane ?

So if these rats mutate...

[Anonymous Coward]

A team of scientists from Joseph Fourier University in France

So, if these rats mutate into something horrible... would we call it a fourier transformation?

So my bill is measured in rats now...

[neorush]

So I only need (3200 watts x 1,000,000uW) / 6.5uW = 492,307,693 rats to power my home!

Re:

[neorush]

In fairness I get it, this is a great break through for low power devices if you could power them with sugar from your own blood. Very cool.

Re:

[fractoid]

And your username is 'neorush', which seems appropriate for someone commenting on a story about (a) powering electrical gadgets with mammals, and (b) doing so using a 'sugar rush'. :)

A message from Apple Computers

[Torodung]

Remember: You will not be able to change the batteries on your iRat. There are no serviceable parts inside.

We'll be getting more of this magical product to market, as soon as Steve finishes playing his iPipe.

If your kids go missing, don't worry, Think Furry (TM)

--
Toro

Re:

[Hurricane78]

as soon as Steve finishes smoking his iPipe.

There, fixed that for ya.

Re:

[L4t3r4lu5]

We'll be getting more of this magical product to market, as soon as Steve finishes smoking his iPipe.

FTFY.

It's funny to watch

[Tibia1]

rats undergo a series of scientific experiments through the ages. They'll be the first to get neural implants that highly increase cognitive function. They'll be the first to connect to the internet directly through the brain. Aliens might assume they are more intelligent than us on first glance. Sitting around reproducing, reaping the rewards of science while humans do all the gruntwork...

They have been planning this from the beginning.

Re:

[gmrath]

"What are we going to do tonight, Brain?"

Re:

[Ironlenny]

It is common knowledge in the rest of the galaxy that humans are only the third smartest lifeforms on Earth. The fact that you still haven't figured that out is pretty belgium if you ask me. (Apologies to Mr. Adams)

Re:

[Angst Badger]

They'll be the first to connect to the internet directly through the brain.

They already have. Where do you think all those duplicate stories come from?

Re:

[Jesus_666]

Either that or they will invent their own take on the automobile.

el chief

[el chief]

Combined with a form of fusion the machines had found all the energy they would ever need

a pile of dead rats

[laptop loveer]

Yeah, but how about the quality of the cell?

Hmmm....

[girlintraining]

Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a... battery?

trap for excess blood glucose?

[harley78]

Or a "cure" for Diabetes 1 while powering your iPod like device etc..? If you could relieve the bloodstream of excess glucose in diabetics(I) w/o supplementing insulin(or much less), that's green energy, right? Not trying to be cold hearted; but -any- energy conversion that helps will be good sooner that later...

All for me to browse /.

[masterwit]

If one rat generates 6.5 microwatts, this current computer requires 650 watt psu, that is ~100 million rats to power my computer without a display...give or take other factors not-considered. Additionally, a single rat consumes lets say hypothetically 200 calories a day (I couldn't find a real number). That means I would need 20 billion calories to power my computer for a day off rats. If the average nuclear power plant produces roughly 1000 MW, and if that energy could be converted to calories to feed r

Re:

[masterwit]

Oh forgot, to add to the perspective (however skewed), 1000 MW powers ~1.5 million 650 watt PSU's... I think. This whole analogy is ridiculous.

Re:

[Black Gold Alchemist]

If one rat generates 6.5 microwatts, this current computer requires 650 watt psu, that is ~100 million rats

Rats!!!

Re:

[RMH101]

This is a really interesting idea. Seems kind of crazy that we need parasitic devices to stop us over eating ourselves to death, but looking around the western world it'd seem a perfect fit. A Macbook powered by Big Macs!

Re:

[Linker3000]

Damn - I first read that as 'direct rectal projection technology'. The mind (and rectum) boggles!

Rat power...

[JLangbridge]

Great. Now future cars are going to be sold as having x rat-power, instead of x horse-power...

Next thing you know...

[questionsaddict]

and we'll be charging our cellphones by plugging them to our....

bellybutton.

definitively, the bellybutton

(there was a pun there, but i forgot what it was)

Side effect...

[c0lo]

That the end of the hamster wheel [wikimedia.org] as we know it.
Pity of all the effort, science and passion others [otherpower.com] put into it... So long to you, deep and hamster-wheel inspired phylosophy of life [buzzle.com]...

I can see it now

[EEPROMS]

Dan "sheesh John you are a pig today, slow down" John "been a busy day, had to recharge my laptop and mobile phone of my Persocharger so now I am starving" Dan " heard Rachael got booked into a hospital because her glucose levels crashed when she forgot to take a mains cable on holiday for her vibrator" Both laugh

To hell with glucose...

[Genda]

Figure out a way to build a device the releases the hormones and enzymes needed to trigger lipolysis into the blood stream and then burn the free fatty acids to make energy. The benefits would be immediate.

1. 1. For starters fat has more calories than sugar i.e. more energy per unit mass.
2. 2. Keeping LDLs and Triglycerides in the blood stream low, by burning them up would prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks.
3. 3. Life expectancies would skyrocket.
4. 4. You could get to your target weight by simply generati

Now I have a use....

[zymurgy_cat]

for the 15.4 million rats in my basement. I can use them to power a 100 W light bulb.

Re:

[DurendalMac]

Nah, it's because the second and third books were written by a different author.