Super Cells to Power Cyborgs
Cyborgs are moving out of
science-fiction and into the real world. With an increasing number of
first world citizens suddenly turning up missing limbs, due to some
mysterious and definitely non-oil-related reason, and advances in
man-machine interface technology it's time to think about how we're
going to power artificial additions to the body. The average human
doesn't react well to an electrical outlet, and most of the chemicals
you find inside batteries aren't ones you'd want to find inside
yourself.
Researchers at Yale University have come up with
blueprints for a bio-battery, organic cells which can work together to
produce an electrical voltage. These cells are optimised versions of
electric eel electrocytes, the results of millions of years of
evolution plus a few more of scientists going "We can do better than
that!" The upgraded electro-cells will produce 30% higher voltages than the original organics, and 30% more efficiently.
The improvements were made possible by mathematically modeling the ion pumps and channels which set up the voltages in the natural cells. With the mechanisms freed from the gooey bits of the actual cell, the model could be varied to find the most efficient values, which were then mapped back into a design for cells which will do a much better job.
Or at least they will if we can build them. There's a long way between the drawing board and the cyber-implant in the world of biotechnology, at least for those of us outside of Marvel, and several "How do we actually build this?" questions have to be answered. The key will be the connection of the electro-cells to the ATP reserves in the body, allowing you to convert calories into charge to run your Apple iMplant audio player.
I have only one word for this. EW! Seriously though, just think how much more convenient it would be to be able to plug your laptop into yourself rather than having to rely on those expensive batteries or having to look for an electrical outlet somewhere. Now all they need to do is figure out a way for the body to emit free WiFi.
Posted by: Marcy | October 12, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Yes, but also remember how much more you're going to have to eat.
Though easy diet plan. Too many calories at lunch?
Top up your electric car's battery!
Posted by: ice_cold_irony | October 12, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Think about the power cells used to power defibrillators & pace - makers. Place a network of them through the whole body. It may not be eco - friendly, but it would work. It'd be nice if such additions could tap into the body's own energy field / bioelectric supply, but that's really not enough power.
Posted by: EvilCosmicMonkey from Knoxville | October 15, 2008 at 11:32 AM
pacemakers..hmm not bad, what about powering terminator type vision, amputies, hmm anything else?
Posted by: mktim69 | November 20, 2008 at 06:41 AM