ETH Zurich researchers develop glucose-regulating electronic implant

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Basel have developed a subcutaneous electronic device, named Echo, designed to regulate blood sugar levels without the use of drugs, enzymes, or living cells. The device, which has been successfully tested on mice, uses an electrocatalytic process to convert excess glucose into gluconate, a benign compound that the body can naturally excrete through urine.

The implant utilizes a 3D-printed housing containing a graphite felt sponge decorated with gold nanoclusters and platinum particles. When triggered by an electrical impulse, the catalyst oxidizes glucose directly. The system is designed to operate in a closed loop: a continuous glucose monitor tracks blood sugar levels and communicates via Bluetooth to a smartphone, which then wirelessly activates the implant using radio frequencies.

Lead researcher Martin Fussenegger noted that this approach shifts diabetes management from instructing the body to behave differently via medication to controlling glucose levels directly through electronics. Because the device relies on an inorganic catalyst rather than engineered cells, it avoids risks associated with biological rejection or unintended cellular behavior.