Researchers from the University of Wollongong’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) have created a bioelectronic patch powered by a magnesium-based battery, which can speed up skin repair.
The new battery uses a Mg electrode (Mg ions generated during battery discharge) and a conductive gel electrode (H2 produced during battery discharge) to fuse electrical stimulation with an anti-inflammatory chemical environment that supports healing.
The battery, which is described in the study published in Advanced Materials, is the result of a collaboration between the University of Wollongong and researchers from Jilin University in China.
It was conceptualised in response to observed flaws in the existing setup used for electrical stimulation of various tissues such as skin.
“The tissue regeneration battery (TRB) concept was conceived when we looked at conventional batteries and thought, what a waste of space and why are they not designed to interact with tissue directly?” Said Professor Gordon Wallace, IPRI Director Distinguished Professor.
In conventional batteries the composition of electrodes or the nature of the products of the chemical reactions causes cell death during current flow.
The tissue regeneration battery has been designed for safe integration with living tissue, with a dermal remodelling study demonstrating it healed wounds faster than the control.
“Here we have gone significantly further to design electrochemical interactions between cells and the battery,” said Xiaoteng Jia, Associate Professor from Jilin University.
“The current flow and the associated products generated at both electrodes contribute to cell regulation.”
“Other areas, such as bone regeneration, neuromodulation systems may also benefit from this approach.”
