Biofuel Cell Powered Biosensor Eliminates DC-DC Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable biosensors rely on batteries and DC-DC converters for power, leading to bulky devices with limited miniaturization and poor battery life, and wireless power solutions require external batteries, causing user inconvenience and limited continuous data readout.
Innovation Solution
A biofuel cell-powered system that directly powers an analog-to-digital converter and wireless transmitter using enzymatic biofuel cells, eliminating the need for external power sources by operating at the near-open-circuit voltage of the biofuel cell without a DC-DC converter, and duty-cycling the biofuel cell to maximize power extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If batteries and DC-DC converters are used to power wearable biosensors, then the device can operate continuously, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter from the power system, extracting only the essential power conversion function needed. By operating the biosensor and electronics directly from the biofuel cell's near-open-circuit voltage, the system eliminates the bulky DC-DC converter while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The biofuel cell serves dual functions: it acts as both the power source and the voltage regulator for the system. By designing the electronics to operate directly from the biofuel cell's natural voltage output, the system combines power generation and voltage regulation into a single component, reducing overall device volume.
2Reliability
If external batteries are used for wireless power solutions, then the device can maintain power supply, but user convenience deteriorates due to external power source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The biosensor system powers itself by utilizing the biochemical energy naturally present in the user's body fluids. The biofuel cell continuously converts glucose or lactate from sweat, saliva, or interstitial fluid into electrical energy, eliminating the need for external batteries or frequent recharging, thereby maintaining power reliability while maximizing user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power source with the sensing function by integrating the biofuel cell directly with the biosensor and electronics. This integration allows the system to harvest energy from the same biological environment where sensing occurs, creating a self-sufficient unit that improves both reliability and ease of operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If DC-DC converters are used to regulate voltage from biofuel cells, then the electronics can operate at stable voltage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter from the system, extracting only the voltage regulation function that is naturally provided by the biofuel cell's near-open-circuit voltage characteristics. This simplifies the circuit architecture while maintaining adequate voltage stability for the electronics to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating voltage parameter of the electronics to match the biofuel cell's natural output voltage. By designing the electronics to operate directly from the biofuel cell's voltage output without conversion, the system eliminates the need for complex voltage regulation while maintaining functional stability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If maximum power extraction is achieved by duty-cycling the biofuel cell, then the power efficiency improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements duty-cycling of the biofuel cell by periodically connecting and disconnecting the load to maximize power extraction. This periodic switching allows the system to harvest energy efficiently during active phases while minimizing power consumption during idle phases, improving overall power efficiency with simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the connection between the biofuel cell and the electronics based on operational needs. By making the load connection dynamic rather than static, the system can optimize power extraction during active sensing periods while reducing power consumption during standby periods, improving efficiency without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous monitoring of metabolites like glucose and lactate with improved device miniaturization, extended longevity, and reliable real-time data readout without the need for external power sources, leveraging the energy generated from the analytes to sustain the biosensing system.
Implementation Method 1
the anode including a first nanocomposite and an enzymatic layer, where the anode is electrically coupled to a power supply voltage terminal of the electronic circuit and configured to interact with the glucose or lactate
Implementation Method 2
an enzymatic layer, where the anode is electrically coupled to a power supply voltage terminal of the electronic circuit and configured to interact with the glucose or lactate
Implementation Method 3
a cathode including a second nanocomposite electrically coupled to a ground voltage terminal of the electronic circuit
Implementation Method 4
the electronic circuit is configured to use power generated while the analyte, e.g., glucose or lactate, is being transformed to a derivative substance (e.g., gluconolactone and pyruvate, respectively), based on reactions occurring at the modified biosensor electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are self-powering biofuel cell and sensor devices, systems and techniques. In some aspects, a self-powered biosensing system includes an electronic circuit; an anode including an enzymatic layer electrically coupled to a power supply voltage terminal of the electronic circuit and configured to interact with an analyte in a fluid, such as glucose or lactate; and a cathode electrically coupled to a ground voltage terminal of the electronic circuit, where the electronic circuit is operable to control and use the electrical energy generated at the anode and cathode for powering the biosensing system and detecting a concentration of the analyte in the fluid.