Research Question:

The research question this article is trying to propose is: how can we create wearable technology that can extract electrical current from the sweat produced during physical activity? The electric current generated could then be used to power small lights or Bluetooth devices. More work must be done to make this power source more stable, as well as be able to store energy when the sweat we create is too dilute or not present.

 

Experimental Design:

The scientist developing this technology performed experiments on 4 test subjects. Each test subject wore a biofuel cell while riding on a stationary bike, and the objective of the test was to see how long the biofuel cell could power a small LED. The power they generated through the lactic acid in their sweat was able to power a blue LED light for roughly 4 minutes. Based on the small sample size for this experiment, it is evident that this research question is still in its very early stages and more testing and work must be done before this technology becomes commercially available or in practical use. In addition, the materials used to make the biofuel cell are unstable and degrade too quickly. The scientists acknowledge these facts in their article, as they state, “Future work is needed…[i]n the long run, researchers will need to find a more stable material.”

 

Citation:

University of California – San Diego. “Stretchable biofuel cells extract energy from sweat to power wearable devices.” Science Daily, Science Daily, 22 Aug. 2017, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170822092209.htm. Accessed 25 Aug. 2017.