A biodegradable battery that will power the next generation of bionic implants is one step closer to reality thanks to an Illawarra community grant.
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As the winner of the 2015 Bill Wheeler Award, University of Wollongong PhD student Xiaoteng Jia will receive $2000 to further his potentially lifesaving invention.
Mr Jia is part of a team of researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterial Science who are working on implantable devices that break down naturally in the body.
This would overcome the issues caused by current implants, like pacemakers, which include inflammation and problems surrounding repeat surgeries.
‘’My research has been to develop a biocompatible and biodegradable battery to power emerging bionic implants,’’ Mr Jia said.
‘’Thanks to the grant, I will be going to the University of Illinois in the US to work with some leading researchers in this field.’’
The Illawarra community annually donates the prize in memory of former Kiama resident and champion of bionics research Bill Wheeler.
ACES director Professor Gordon Wallace welcomed the support.
‘’At ACES we’ve been involved in projects to develop new bionic devices to facilitate, for example, nerve or muscle repair,’’ he said.
‘’It’s impossible to implant conventional batteries ... so this project will see the development of a battery with built-in chemistries that enable it to degrade in an appropriate manner.’’
Mr Jia will receive his award at the Bill Wheeler Symposium at UOWs Innovation campus on Thursday.
Free tickets for the event, from 5-7pm, are available at www.2015billwheeler.eventbrite.com.au