Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have emerged as a transformative solution in the quest for sustainable energy, offering a biocatalyst-driven alternative for powering wearable and implantable self-powered biosensors. These systems harness renewable enzyme activity under mild conditions, positioning t...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Biosensors |
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| author | Zina Fredj Guoguang Rong Mohamad Sawan |
| author_facet | Zina Fredj Guoguang Rong Mohamad Sawan |
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| description | Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have emerged as a transformative solution in the quest for sustainable energy, offering a biocatalyst-driven alternative for powering wearable and implantable self-powered biosensors. These systems harness renewable enzyme activity under mild conditions, positioning them as ideal candidates for next-generation biosensing applications. Despite their promise, their practical deployment is limited by challenges such as low power density, restricted operational lifespan, and miniaturization complexities. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of EBFC technology, beginning with fundamental principles and the latest developments in electron transfer mechanisms. A critical assessment of enzyme immobilization techniques, including physical adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, and cross-linking, underscores the importance of optimizing enzyme stability and catalytic activity for enhanced bioelectrode performance. Additionally, we examine advanced bioelectrode materials, focusing on the role of nanostructures such as carbon-based nanomaterials, noble metals, conducting polymers, and metal–organic frameworks in improving electron transfer and boosting biosensor efficiency. Also, this review includes case studies of EBFCs in wearable self-powered biosensors, with particular attention to the real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters, glucose, lactate, and ethanol through sweat analysis, as well as their integration into implantable devices for continuous healthcare monitoring. Moreover, a dedicated discussion on challenges and trends highlights key limitations, including durability, power management, and scalability, while presenting innovative approaches to address these barriers. By addressing both technical and biological constraints, EBFCs hold the potential to revolutionize biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, paving the way for highly efficient, autonomous biosensing platforms. |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2079-6374 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9bb44bee96c147bdadf5bf92c6b45bdd2025-08-20T02:28:18ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-03-0115421810.3390/bios15040218Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable BiosensorsZina Fredj0Guoguang Rong1Mohamad Sawan2CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, ChinaCenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, ChinaCenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, ChinaEnzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have emerged as a transformative solution in the quest for sustainable energy, offering a biocatalyst-driven alternative for powering wearable and implantable self-powered biosensors. These systems harness renewable enzyme activity under mild conditions, positioning them as ideal candidates for next-generation biosensing applications. Despite their promise, their practical deployment is limited by challenges such as low power density, restricted operational lifespan, and miniaturization complexities. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of EBFC technology, beginning with fundamental principles and the latest developments in electron transfer mechanisms. A critical assessment of enzyme immobilization techniques, including physical adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, and cross-linking, underscores the importance of optimizing enzyme stability and catalytic activity for enhanced bioelectrode performance. Additionally, we examine advanced bioelectrode materials, focusing on the role of nanostructures such as carbon-based nanomaterials, noble metals, conducting polymers, and metal–organic frameworks in improving electron transfer and boosting biosensor efficiency. Also, this review includes case studies of EBFCs in wearable self-powered biosensors, with particular attention to the real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters, glucose, lactate, and ethanol through sweat analysis, as well as their integration into implantable devices for continuous healthcare monitoring. Moreover, a dedicated discussion on challenges and trends highlights key limitations, including durability, power management, and scalability, while presenting innovative approaches to address these barriers. By addressing both technical and biological constraints, EBFCs hold the potential to revolutionize biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, paving the way for highly efficient, autonomous biosensing platforms.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/4/218enzymatic biofuel cellsenergy sourcesself-powered biosensorswearable devicesimplantable sensorsremote sensing |
| spellingShingle | Zina Fredj Guoguang Rong Mohamad Sawan Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors Biosensors enzymatic biofuel cells energy sources self-powered biosensors wearable devices implantable sensors remote sensing |
| title | Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors |
| title_full | Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors |
| title_fullStr | Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors |
| title_short | Recent Advances in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells to Power Up Wearable and Implantable Biosensors |
| title_sort | recent advances in enzymatic biofuel cells to power up wearable and implantable biosensors |
| topic | enzymatic biofuel cells energy sources self-powered biosensors wearable devices implantable sensors remote sensing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/4/218 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zinafredj recentadvancesinenzymaticbiofuelcellstopowerupwearableandimplantablebiosensors AT guoguangrong recentadvancesinenzymaticbiofuelcellstopowerupwearableandimplantablebiosensors AT mohamadsawan recentadvancesinenzymaticbiofuelcellstopowerupwearableandimplantablebiosensors |