Inverted battery design as ion generator for interfacing with biosystems

Chengwei Wang, Kun (Kelvin) Fu, Jiaqi Dai, Steven D. Lacey, Yonggang Yao, Glenn Pastel, Lisha Xu, Jianhua Zhang and Liangbing Hu ()
Additional contact information
Chengwei Wang: University of Maryland College Park
Kun (Kelvin) Fu: University of Maryland College Park
Jiaqi Dai: University of Maryland College Park
Steven D. Lacey: University of Maryland College Park
Yonggang Yao: University of Maryland College Park
Glenn Pastel: University of Maryland College Park
Lisha Xu: University of Maryland College Park
Jianhua Zhang: Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Liangbing Hu: University of Maryland College Park

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract In a lithium-ion battery, electrons are released from the anode and go through an external electronic circuit to power devices, while ions simultaneously transfer through internal ionic media to meet with electrons at the cathode. Inspired by the fundamental electrochemistry of the lithium-ion battery, we envision a cell that can generate a current of ions instead of electrons, so that ions can be used for potential applications in biosystems. Based on this concept, we report an ‘electron battery’ configuration in which ions travel through an external circuit to interact with the intended biosystem whereas electrons are transported internally. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the application of the electron battery by stimulating a monolayer of cultured cells, which fluoresces a calcium ion wave at a controlled ionic current. Electron batteries with the capability to generate a tunable ionic current could pave the way towards precise ion-system control in a broad range of biological applications.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15609

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