Trends of biofuel cells for smart biomedical devices

Abstract

Due to the increasing demand for monitoring diseases such as rising heart rate, diabetes, and ocular disorders wearable and implantable biomedical devices seems too essential for patients not only in the hospital but also at home or during working time. Researchers mostly try to offer valuable information on the conditions of patients as non-invasive, by using comfort biomedical device with a minimum side effect. So, small and self-powered with high sensitivity biomedical devices are recommended, among different power sources that introduced for devices, biofuel cells would be produced as power source for a range of medical devices because of its capability to generate sufficient power output compared to the primary power source. The nature of the electrode reaction and the nature of the biochemical reactions are some of the important parameters that are considered for the classification of fuel cells. Enzymatic biofuel cells due to high activity at mild conditions widely applied in pacemaker; glucometer; and smart contact lenses when compared to other kinds of biofuel cells. On the other hand, short lifespan is one of important limitations in this type of biofuel cells. So, the easiest way to overcome these challenges is to apply non-enzymatic ones. Recent studies have attempted to issue novel method for fabrication of non-enzymatic biofuel cell in order to produce a new generation which are inexpensive, disposable, selective, and sensitive in properties. However, consideration of researchers to the development of self-powered biomedical devices by using body fluids or providing electricity storage is rising.