Collagen-inspired biobatteries as a power source for electronic skin devices

Ana Pina

  • PROJECT LEADER

    Ana Pina

  • APPLICANT INSTITUTION
    AND COUNTRY

    Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal

  • DESCRIPTION

    Electronic skin (e-skin) is one of the most innovative fields in which the electronics industry is currently working. E-skin technology will facilitate the detection of diseases, the application of medical therapies and, in general, more advanced health monitoring. However, there are still some technical hurdles to overcome.

    Current electronic materials are rigid and non-degradable, while the human body is soft, dynamic, stretchable and self-healing. Currently available energy sources (batteries) for e-skin systems are heavy and made of hazardous materials. Other more advanced portable power sources, such as enzymatic biobatteries and biofuel cells, also present technical limitations. There is therefore a need to develop a new class of electronic materials that have properties similar to skin.

    The project aims to develop an ultra-thin, flexible, lightweight and biocompatible battery to power e-skin devices that combines innovative collagen-like materials and flexible microelectronics for portable applications, leaving conventional power sources behind.

  • ASSOCIATED
    ORGANISATIONS

    • Ana Baptista
      Materials Research Center (CENIMAT)
      Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT-NOVA)

    • Leonor Morgado
      UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit
      Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT-NOVA)

    • Felipe Conzuelo
      Instituto de Tecnologia - Química e Biológica
      Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA)

    • Erin Tranfield
      Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência

  • ORIGINAL
    TITLE

    Revolutionizing Electronic Skin: Biobatteries Powered by Collagen-based biomaterials

  • PROJECT
    STAGE

    Stage 1