Edible batteries power medical devices in the body

Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar

Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Whatsapp X Save article View saved research This ingestible capsule, tested in pigs, contains a biodegradable paper battery (large brown circular structure) and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag (black lines). Credit: Mehmet Say

A battery made with a substance resembling edible rice paper can power swallowable electronic medical devices. And after the battery has been safely digested, its broken-down ingredients can be absorbed by the body. The tiny power source has so far been tested in pigs, but the hope is that one day it could provide electricity for ingestible personalized devices that monitor human health or implanted ones that deliver electrical impulses to treat disease.