title: Self sufficient wireless transmitter powered by foot-pumped urine operating wearable MFC.
abstract: The first self-sufficient system, powered by a wearable energy generator based on microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is introduced. MFCs made from compliant material were developed in the frame of a pair of socks, which was fed by urine via a manual gaiting pump. The simple and single loop cardiovascular fish circulatory system was used as the inspiration for the design of the manual pump. A wireless programmable communication module, engineered to operate within the range of the generated electricity, was employed, which opens a new avenue for research in the utilisation of waste products for powering portable as well as wearable electronics.
authors.affiliation: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK. Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, I-56025 Pontedera (PI), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taghavi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stinchcombe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mattoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beccai
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mazzolai
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melhuish
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ieropoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003020:Clothing; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012212:Rheology / Q000295:instrumentation; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry*; D059015:Wireless Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*