Biosensors

Edible Supercapacitors: The Future of Ingestible Electronics

What are Edible Supercapacitors?

Edible supercapacitors are a new type of electrical component that can store energy. Unlike traditional supercapacitors, which are made from materials like aluminum or graphene, edible supercapacitors are made from food ingredients such as cheese, eggs, gelatin, and Gatorade.

How are Edible Supercapacitors Made?

To make an edible supercapacitor, researchers mix egg white with carbon pellets, then add water and more egg white. They apply the mixture to a bit of edible gold foil. They then layer together a slice of cheese and a sheet of gelatin with the egg-and carbon-covered gold foil. On top of that, they add a square of dried seaweed, which has been soaked with drops of energy drink. They stack more of the same materials together, and seal them in a sealing machine.

Applications of Edible Supercapacitors

Edible supercapacitors have a wide range of potential applications in the medical field. For example, they could be used to power tiny cameras that can be swallowed to conduct investigative tests of the digestive tract. They could also be used to deliver certain nutrients or medicines to specific areas of the gut.

Advantages of Edible Supercapacitors

Edible supercapacitors have several advantages over traditional ingestible electronics. First, they are completely nontoxic. Second, they do not need to be passed from the digestive tract, which is an advantage for patients who have difficulty passing pills. Third, they can be made very small, which makes them easier to swallow.

Challenges and Future Directions

One of the challenges facing the development of edible supercapacitors is their size. As of now, the devices are about the size of a ketchup packet. Researchers are working on developing smaller devices that can be swallowed more easily.

Another challenge is the need to develop edible supercapacitors that can function for longer periods of time. The current devices can only function for a few hours, but researchers are working on developing devices that can function for days or even weeks.

Despite these challenges, edible supercapacitors have the potential to revolutionize the field of ingestible electronics. They offer a number of advantages over traditional devices, and researchers are making progress in overcoming the challenges facing their development.

Additional Information

The research on edible supercapacitors was published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.
The team of researchers was led by Professor Hanqing Jiang of Arizona State University.
Edible supercapacitors have been shown to be effective in killing E. coli bacteria.
Edible supercapacitors could be used to deliver drugs to specific areas of the gut.
Edible supercapacitors are still under development, but they have the potential to revolutionize the field of ingestible electronics.

Device Overview

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking device that can rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the air within five minutes. This proof-of-concept detector has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor and manage airborne viruses in public settings.

The device, known as a wet cyclone aerosol sampler, utilizes a unique design inspired by a previous device used to detect a protein in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. It draws in air at a rate of 1,000 liters per minute, swirling it like a cyclone to trap viral particles in a liquid solution.

Detection Mechanism

After five minutes, a biosensor made of an electrode attached to nanobodies, immune system proteins derived from llamas, is used to analyze the solution. These nanobodies have a remarkable affinity for the spike proteins of coronaviruses, allowing them to detect the presence of the virus.

An electrical current is then passed through the sensor, causing the spike proteins to lose electrons. When a second sensor detects this change, the device confirms the presence of SARS-CoV-2.

Accuracy and Applications

In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers demonstrated that the device is 77 to 83 percent accurate in detecting any of the coronavirus variants in the air. It was also able to successfully detect the virus in the apartments of two COVID-positive patients within just five minutes.

The device could have wide-ranging applications in healthcare and public health settings. It could be used to scan for the virus in hospitals, shopping malls, airports, and other public places, helping to identify areas of high risk and inform infection control measures.

Cost and Future Prospects

The current cost of building the device in a lab is estimated to be between $1,400 and $1,900. However, the researchers believe that with further development, the microwave-sized detector could be engineered to scan for other airborne viruses as well.

The team is currently exploring the potential to detect influenza, RSV, and other pathogens using the same technology. They believe that this device has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor and manage airborne viruses, contributing to improved public health outcomes.

Additional Features and Benefits:

The device is designed to be portable and easy to use, enabling rapid deployment in various settings.

It provides real-time detection, eliminating the need for time-consuming PCR testing.

The nanobody-based sensor is highly sensitive and specific, allowing for accurate virus identification.

The cyclone-like particle trajectory ensures efficient capture of viral particles from the air.

The low cost of the device makes it feasible for widespread implementation in public settings.

Edible Supercapacitors: Powering the Future of Ingestible Medical Devices