The Institute for Energy Technology (ITE), is investigating the creation of a biocell use blood glucose for energy. This development could reduce surgical interventions that users undergo pacemaker.
The current batteries are durable enough for some implants that do not require a lot of energy, but when they run out, surgery is required to replace them.Even devices that do not use a lot of electricity, such as pacemakers, have a limited shelf life because they rely on batteries.
The challenge of the research is to develop electrodes with materials that are compatible to the human body and are able to oxidize blood glucose and convert it into 'fuel'.