Wearable Biofuel Cells: A Review

• Published in: Electroanalysis (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 28; no. 6; pp. 1188 - 1200
• Main Authors: Bandodkar, Amay J., Wang, Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.06.2016; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Biochemical fuel cells; biofuel cells; Electric power generation; Electronics; Energy harvesting; Energy use; Platforms; Strategy; Wearable; Wearable electronics; wearable power sources
• ISSN: 1040-0397; 1521-4109
• DOI: 10.1002/elan.201600019

This review describes recent advances in the emerging field of wearable biofuel cells. The needs for developing viable energy sources to power wearable electronics are discussed along with the prospects of harvesting usable electrical energy from metabolites present in biofluids. Particular attention is given to recently developed strategies for harnessing energy from sweat and tears using non‐invasive and minimally‐invasive enzymatic biofuel cells to power wearable devices. Such efforts to develop wearable biofuel cell are discussed with special emphasis to the challenges facing this field, and possible routes to address these issues and moving the field forward. Finally, we also discuss the future prospects and opportunities that will enable new and exciting wearable biofuel‐cell energy harvesting platforms for catering to various wearable applications.