We’ve seen all types of medical implants through the years, but none that had a musical preference — earlier. Researchers at Purdue University have created a pressure sensitive microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that uses sound waves as an energy source. The proof-of-concept has a vibrating cantilever that’s receptive to sound — or music — within the 200 – 500Hz frequency range, that’s towards the ground end of the audible range. The subcutaneous implant converts the low-frequency vibrations into energy, after which stores it in a capacitor. Once the cantilever stops vibrating, it sends an electric charge to a sensor and takes a pressure reading, the result’s then transmitted out via radio waves for monitoring purposes. The immediate real world applications include diagnosing and treating incontinence, but we’re already wondering if that self-powering mp3 player implant could finally become a reality?
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