Scientists generate electricity from bodies

A group of scientists have developed a biofuel cell that generates electricity from the human body.

Dr Serge Cosnier and his team at the Joseph Fourier University of Grenoble have created a device that uses glucose and oxygen at concentrations found in the body to create an electrical current.

Furthermore, the team have also proved their biofuel cell works after implanting it into a lab rat for 40 days, which showed the device producing electricity with no noticeable changes to the rat's health or behaviour.

Dr Cosnier said that the rat was a proof of concept as it was too small to produce much of a current, claiming that a cow is the next step.

"There is more space, so a larger fuel cell can be implanted, meaning a greater current will be generated," he explained to the BBC.

As well as providing a useful source of power for pacemakers and the like, the biofuel cells also have promise for other applications as they would only need sugar and water to run.