# 73. Nanometer Fuel Cells & Ultrathin Speakers

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-06-07
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers-q3k9Vt3T

## Summary

Hosts Daniel Scott Mitchell and Farbod Moghaddam discuss two breakthrough technologies from MIT: a nanometer-scale glucose fuel cell developed by Jennifer Rupp and Philippe, and an ultrathin piezoelectric speaker. The glucose fuel cell uses a ceramic electrolyte (Siri) to generate power from blood sugar, potentially powering medical implants without bulky batteries. The ultrathin speaker utilizes a laser-cut, vacuum-formed dome array to allow piezoelectric films to be mounted on surfaces without distorting sound, offering high efficiency and versatile applications.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=0) Introduction: Miniaturization in Electronics
- [0:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=48) Glucose Fuel Cells: Inspiration and Structure
- [3:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=204) The Electrolyte Problem and Ceramic Solution
- [8:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=513) Fuel Cell Performance and Medical Applications
- [13:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=825) Ultrathin Speakers: The Piezoelectric Challenge
- [16:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=1003) Dome Array Design and Fabrication Process
- [22:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-07-73-nanometer-fuel-cells-ultrathin-speakers#t=1346) Sound Pressure, Frequency Range, and Use Cases

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MIT (company)
- Technical University of Munich (company)
- Jennifer Rupp (other)
- Philippe (other)
- Siri (material)
- JBL (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 323: Impossible CRT Surgery, Fuel Cells, Stream Gages, and a Love Letter to Microcontrollers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-30-ep-323-impossible-crt-surgery-fuel-cells-stream-gages-and-a-love-letter-to-micro-a749ff00) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [29: Ducking the Quadcopter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter) (Embedded.fm)
- [CES 2020, Day 2: AMD vs. Intel | NXP’s Lars Reger | A Singular Bluetooth IC](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-01-08-ces-2020-day-2-amd-vs-intel-nxps-lars-reger-a-singular-bluetooth-ic) (EE Times Current)
- [Ep 323: Impossible CRT Surgery, Fuel Cells, Stream Gages, and a Love Letter to Microcontrollers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-30-ep-323-impossible-crt-surgery-fuel-cells-stream-gages-and-a-love-letter-to-micro) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 214: Jet Engine Hair Dryer, Comic Sans Type Balls, and Belief in Graphene](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-14-ep-214-jet-engine-hair-dryer-comic-sans-type-balls-and-belief-in-graphene) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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