Design and Characteristics of Biodegradable and Implantable Batteries?

Degradable, transient electronics is an emerging technology with applications including zero-waste environmental sensors, hardware secure memory modules, and temporary biomedical implants. Temporary biomedical implants with biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics provide the multifunctional operation to assist or monitor a transient biological event, such as wound healing and cardiac patch. The biodegradable power supply is an essential component of many such systems. This poster will outline the fabrication of a biocompatible and biodegradable battery for use in implantable medical devices. The ionic liquid based electrolyte is synthesized from a choline functionalized gelatin polymer. The anode and cathode is made of metal-infused lignin fibers. The fibers are electrospun from a solution of lignin, polyethylene oxide, and choice metal salts followed by carbonization. The carbonization process is carried out at 800^oC to bond the metals to the lignin, increase conductivity, and improve biocompatibility. Future testing will reveal the levels of conductivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability achieved.