A diamond–titanium prototype machine being held after manufacturing at RMIT’s Superior Manufacturing Precinct. Credit score: Shu Shu Zheng, RMIT College
RMIT researchers have created an experimental 3D-printed diamond–titanium machine that generates electrical energy from flowing liquid and receives wi-fi energy via tissue making it attainable to remotely sense modifications in circulate.
The innovation may sooner or later result in longer-lasting implants equivalent to sensible stents, drug-release programs and prosthetics that by no means want a battery substitute and are exactly tailor-made to a affected person. It will contain no lively electronics within the implant.
The crew says the analysis is early however promising, as there are not any recognized gadgets that may collect vitality from each fluid motion and wi-fi alerts, which is enabled by the combination of semiconductive diamonds right into a metallic materials.
The analysis article, “Additively manufactured diamond for energy scavenging and wireless power transfer in implantable devices,” is revealed within the journal Superior Purposeful Supplies.
Smarter, safer implants
Senior Lead Researcher Dr. Arman Ahnood, from RMIT’s Faculty of Engineering, mentioned the advance paved the best way for safer gadgets.
“Our goal was to overcome one of the biggest limits in implant technology—the battery,” he mentioned. “They take up space and eventually fail, which often means another operation. With this approach, implants could run continuously with little or no onboard battery.”
He mentioned the innovation may even have functions exterior the biomedical sector.
“The ability to wirelessly receive power and harvest energy from liquid flow could be valuable in many other industries where sensors are needed in hard-to-access places using some of the most inert material systems,” he mentioned.
“Our device can remotely detect changes in liquid flow in lab tests without the need for any active electronics in the implantable portion, which offers potential for future implants that could warn of progression of disease before it becomes dangerous.”
Credit score: RMIT College
Ahnood mentioned the innovation mixed light-weight, sturdy and electrically conductive titanium with many tiny diamond particles.
“The diamonds transform titanium from a passive, structural implant material into an active, multifunctional platform—one that can scavenge energy, sense flow and receive wireless power while remaining biocompatible and strong,” he mentioned.
Energy from liquid circulate
The crew examined the machine utilizing saline options within the lab somewhat than blood. They are saying the identical ideas may apply contained in the physique, the place blood transferring throughout the floor of an implant may generate vitality.
Dr. Peter Sherrell, from RMIT’s Faculty of Science, mentioned the impact was key for low-energy medical gadgets.
“When liquid flowed across the surface in our lab tests, it produced a small but steady electrical signal. This is completely new—most implant materials are either insulating or conducting—this is the combination of both in a single material that lets us see and use this electricity,” he mentioned.
“On its own, this wouldn’t be enough to run most devices but combined with wireless charging it could power simple implants.”
Printing stronger, tailor-made gadgets
Professor Kate Fox, from RMIT’s Faculty of Engineering, mentioned the crew had additionally proven the machine could possibly be printed into complicated, patient-tailored shapes.
“Diamond with titanium gave us a structure that was not only lightweight and durable but also electrically active,” Fox mentioned. “It shows we can design implants that do their mechanical job and also provide sensing or power functions.”
The researchers say the innovation must bear additional testing and they’re in search of companions throughout biomedical and different sectors to assist develop the expertise into real-world functions.
Extra info:
Additively manufactured diamond for vitality scavenging and wi-fi energy switch in implantable gadgets, Superior Purposeful Supplies (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202508766, superior.onlinelibrary.wiley.c … .1002/adfm.202508766
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