5. Edible battery powers ingestible device
Engineers have developed an edible electronic device that is fitted with an edible battery, according to Carnegie Mellon University. The device is made from biodegradable electronic materials that are designed for medical use and other edible electronic devices.The battery is made of low-cost material and is a non-toxic sodium ion battery. The materials are made of commonly available materials and are inexpensive to make.
Carnegie Mellon engineers designed the device to stimulate damaged tissues, sense gastric health and for targeted drug delivery.
The device works as a shape-memory polymer that starts small when swallowed and expands in the body where and when it is needed.
Designed as a minimally-invasive device, the battery activates itself when wet. Each battery has a casing that can be modified to absorb water at a set rate for slow release power.