Scientists have succeeded in integrating electronics into human cells, in a step that brings humanity much closer to the concept of the "cyborg" that has long been associated with science fiction and films such as "Terminator".
According to the scientific journal Science Advances, engineers from the United States have designed an ultra-thin and flexible network called the "Biohybrid Mesh Harvester," which seamlessly integrates with human cells to provide a continuous, reliable, and powerful electrical supply, potentially representing a radical solution for eliminating batteries in wearable and implantable electronic devices.
Lead author Professor John Yao of the University of Massachusetts Amherst said: "Humans have long dreamed of a future in which certain electronics can enhance our capabilities."
Beyond science fiction, real-world examples of these technologies include pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants, and various health monitoring devices. But all these devices need a power source, and batteries—despite their dominance—remain bulky and eventually run out of power. Furthermore, miniaturization and increased flexibility reduce the amount of charge they can store. This is where the importance of the new innovation lies. As study co-author Seiqi Wang, a doctoral student, explained, "Our bodies are power plants operating 24/7. Each individual cell produces its own energy."
Professor Yao has previously developed a network that can grow with and monitor heart tissue, built an artificial neuron capable of communicating directly with human cells, and discovered how to harvest clean energy from thin air. He explained that everything battery-powered relies on a centralized power supply, but that's not how the body works. Instead, every cell in the human body is its own "power station," and energy is distributed throughout the entire system. Professor Yao added, "We wanted to transform this traditional, centralized model into something more distributed and biologically inspired."
The research team began with an array of thin strips of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. They then developed a technique to place these strips onto an ultra-thin, highly flexible polymer platform. Next, the team implanted human heart cells onto this new platform, which, as they grew, seamlessly integrated into and around the PZT-laden platform. The result was a device that moves and looks like human tissue, but functions like a battery that never needs replacing.
Professor Yao, who explained that their research so far has been conducted only in the lab, pointed out that the device generated a power density—or the amount of energy that can be produced in a given volume—ten times greater than systems that rely on a central power source. He says this is just the beginning because the membranes are so thin that they can be stacked in layers, greatly increasing the amount of available power while remaining non-invasive. Professor Yao added, "The beauty of this system is how non-invasive and robust it is. Our bodies tend to reject systems that come with bulky batteries, but when the device is at the cellular level, you get much better biocompatibility."
what is your opinion on this news ?do let us know in the comments on tha comment box
if you liked this news article please share on friends & family & don't forget to follow on website & social media