MIT researchers develop swallowable biodegradable paper battery

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a paper-like, biodegradable battery designed to be swallowed for medical monitoring and treatment. Published in Nature Chemical Engineering, the study details a device that uses magnesium and molybdenum trioxide electrodes combined with a biodegradable gel electrolyte.

The battery reaches a voltage of 1.84 volts, sufficient to power small swallowable electronics. In tests, the device powered an RFID tracker capable of sending signals to a reader from 1.5 meters away, which could eventually help doctors confirm medication adherence. In another application, the battery powered a gastric stimulation capsule that increased ghrelin levels in pigs by 50% after 20 minutes of stimulation.

While the battery itself is designed to decompose and be absorbed by the body, the researchers noted that complete devices still rely on some non-biodegradable electronic components. The team is working to refine the technology and move toward clinical trials.