Biodegradable magnesium/iron batteries with polycaprolactone encapsulation: A microfabricated power source for transient implantable devices

摘要

A battery that generates power by ‘eating’ itself in saline fluid could help extend the capabilities of biodegradable medical implants. Treating non-chronic ailments such as brain trauma or bone injuries with smart implants would allow physicians to remotely monitor the recovery process, but requires surgical removal of the device after healing. Transient implants that dissolve after a short exposure to physiological conditions offer a promising nonsurgical option but are currently limited to passive, low-power designs. Mark Allen from the University of Pennsylvania and his research group have fabricated a microscale battery that harnesses energy from metallic corrosion to power implants while simultaneously dissolving. Composed of magnesium and iron electrodes encapsulated by a biodegradable polycaprolactone salt-permeable mebrane, the team's micrometer-scale battery has a two order of magnitude higher energy density than comparable devices.