Implantable Zinc-Oxygen Battery for In Situ Electrical Stimulation-Promoted Neural Regeneration

Electrical stimulation is a promising strategy for treating neural diseases. However, current energy suppliers cannot provide effective power for in situ electrical stimulation. Here, an implantable tubular zinc-oxygen battery is reported as the power source for in situ electrical stimulation during the neural repair. The battery exhibited a high volumetric energy density of 231.4 mWh cm(-3) based on the entire anode and cathode in vivo. Due to its superior electrochemical properties and biosafety, the battery can be directly wrapped around the nerve to provide in situ electrical stimulation with a minimal size of 0.86 mm(3). The cell and animal experiments demonstrated that the zinc-oxygen battery-based nerve tissue engineering conduit effectively promoted regeneration of the injured long-segment sciatic nerve, proving its promising applications for powering implantable neural electronics in the future.

Automated summary

An implantable tubular zinc-oxygen battery is reported as a power source for in situ electrical stimulation during neural repair. The battery exhibits high energy density and can be directly wrapped around the nerve for stimulation.