Technology: Ingestible paper battery powers medical devices in preclinical studies (Nature Chemical Engineering)

A swallowable paper battery that can power medical devices inside the body before breaking down has shown promise in preclinical research, including studies in pigs, according to research published in Nature Chemical Engineering. The technology could support temporary devices that track medication use or deliver electrical stimulation without needing to be removed later.

Ingestible electronic devices can help medical professionals monitor health, deliver treatments and collect information from inside the body, but they need a safe and reliable source of power. However, conventional batteries contain materials that do not break down and may cause tissue damage if their protective casing fails. Bioresorbable batteries could offer an alternative by working for a set period before breaking down into materials that the body can process.

Giovanni Traverso and colleagues developed a paper-based battery made from magnesium and molybdenum trioxide and evaluated it in a series of preclinical studies in pigs. The battery produced a peak voltage of 1.84 volts and remained functional in the animals' stomachs for up to three days and powered a wireless tag in the oesophagus that maintained stable communication with a receiver 1.5 metres away. It was also capable of powering a capsule that electrically stimulated the stomach for 20 minutes, an approach used to treat gastrointestinal conditions that affect how the stomach empties. The authors observed no notable tissue damage related to the stimulation.

The findings suggest that bioresorbable batteries could power temporary ingestible devices for health monitoring and electrical treatments. However, the authors note that only a small number of animals were involved in testing and that the circuit board used for electrical stimulation was not biodegradable and was naturally excreted. Further studies are needed to assess long-term safety and to develop fully bioresorbable devices before testing in humans.

• Article
• Open access
• Published: 21 September 2026

Say, M.G., Erus, A., Morgan, L. et al. Bioresorbable batteries for transient ingestible bioelectronics. Nat Chem Eng 3, 509–521 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-026-00443-7
 

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