The implantable device would function like a mini hydroelectric generator that uses your blood instead of water. As long as your heart is beating, the turbine will generate an endless supply of power. Eventually, this technology could replace battery-powered pacemakers which have a limited life span. Don’t worry about having to give up a major blood vessel as the device would be placed in the thoracic artery, an extra blood vessel often removed in heart surgery.
Though promising, the mini-turbines have one major drawback – life-threatening blood clots! The team is looking at ways to cut the risk of blood clots, but that would be one heck of a side effect to have to list on the product information sheet.
Andrew
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:38 AMIs this perpetual motion then?
Corteks
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:57 AMNo, a perpetual motion machine requires no outside force to work. In fact it may supposedly generate more energy than is put in into it (something that is technically impossible)…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion
This generates power from the force of your blood pumping through your body.
Matthew
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:59 AMtechnically no, since it is using the power of your heart and your heart requires the energy of air, water and food to function. This would only be perpetual motion if it could keep your heart beating with requiring sustainance
Carl
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:08 AMSo, a pacemaker that works as long as your heart’s beating? That sound’s like a great idea! /jk
cal
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:34 AMSkin mounted USB outlet??
Charge my iPhone??
Peter James
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:08 PMWould think this would cause some resistance to blood flow (sky high blood pressure) ??????
David
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:33 PMThe real problem lies in turbulence in the blood flow with this device. That’s why you’re going to get blood clots. The whole reason you get blood clots is because the flow is disrupted by a narrowing of the blood vessel. Think of eddys and whirlpools in your blood. I’d like to see the smart person who can come up with a turbine that doesn’t create any resistance and thus not turbulence in the blood flow!
I’d rather not die from a stroke!
olearymo
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 9:17 AMokay people, we need to find a way to use the remaining 790 microwatts.
I suggest super powers.