Wireless Sensor Networks May Be Created By Bugs, Such As Cockroaches

We might change the way we will see cockroaches in the future, as scientists from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology alongside the Osaka University in Japan are working in a way to use them in our technological advancement.

The scientists are working on developing a ‘fuel cell’ system that harnesses power from the cockroaches’ internal system and uses it to power a very small sensor that’s placed on their backs. One is not that important or revolutionary, however by adding them up into groups, they can become a self-powered wireless sensor network, however in theory up until now.

The fuel cell on the cockroaches’ backs uses trehalose to generate power, which is a sort of sugar present inside the bug’s body fluids. Complete with electrodes, a needle and a tank of body fluid, the fuel cell system can generate up to 50.2 μW of electric power, just enough to keep a small sensor running.

After solving the power problem, the scientists then just have to develop a sensor for any specific need, and easily create a self powered small sensor network by placing them on cockroaches. There would be enough power in the little ‘buggers’ to keep the network up and running for a long period of time, as the cockroaches secrete the trehalose substance continuously inside their body.

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