Study Shows That Heartbeat May Be Enough to Power Pacemaker

Researchers at the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering have tested an energy-harvesting device that runs on piezoelectricity –  the electrical charge generated from motion. "What we have proven is that under optimal conditions, this concept is working,” says M. Amin Karami, PhD, the study's lead author and a research fellow at the university. He says the next step is to integrate the device into a pacemaker. This research has the potential to eliminate the need for costly surgeries to replace pacemaker aging batteries.

MICHR is pleased to have supported this study with a seed grant.