# 188. Powering Medical Devices With Body Heat

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-08-20
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat-dFf09MGk

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from Carnegie Mellon University on the first health device powered by body heat using a thermoelectric generator. They analyze the technology's reliance on temperature differentials, the use of flexible liquid metal epoxy composites to improve power density by 40x, and its potential to eliminate battery charging for critical medical devices like glucose monitors and pulse oximeters.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=0) Introduction: The Battery Problem in Wearables
- [2:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=137) Thermoelectric Generators and Temperature Delta
- [4:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=283) Flexible Materials and Power Density Improvements
- [8:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=520) Medical Applications and Safety Risks of Recharging
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=663) Placement, Surface Area, and Power Output Challenges
- [13:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-20-188-powering-medical-devices-with-body-heat#t=796) Pros, Cons, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Carnegie Mellon University (company)
- Apple Watch (product)
- Wevolver (company)

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- [512: What if I Didn't Stop?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-10-16-512-what-if-i-didnt-stop) (Embedded.fm)
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## Citing this page

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