ULTRATHIN SUPERCAPACITORS FOR IMPLANTABLE BIOELECTRONICS

Commercial implantable biomedical devices are currently powered by bulky batteries which limit device miniaturization and lifespan. Herein, we describe an approach to fabricate implantable protein-based electrochemical capacitors (ECs) employing new heterostructures in which two-dimensional graphene sheets are interlayered with human proteins, while utilizing biological fluids as electrolytes. These devices are one micrometer thick, with a high energy density comparable to that of lithium thin film batteries. These ECs have the potential to power a new generation of long-life, miniaturized implantable devices.