Japan develops semi-mechanical insects: generating electricity from cockroach bodily fluids to power LEDs

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Recently, in a laboratory at Osaka University in Japan, semi-mechanical insects known as “Cyborg insects” have been continuously being created. Researchers have developed a device that generates electricity using insect body fluids, and installed it on the backs of cockroaches and similar insects. Currently, electricity generated by insects can already be used to power light-emitting diodes (LEDs), as well as to measure temperature and transmit data. It is said that an output power of 10 microwatts (one millionth of a watt) can last for 5 hours. Cockroaches were chosen because of their strong survival instinct. The first to be used were wingless Madagascar cockroaches with a body length of 6–7 centimeters. Enzymes are used to break down trehalose contained in cockroach body fluids into glucose, which is then oxidized on the negative side of the battery to extract electrons. Then, electron pairs are used to reduce oxygen, thereby generating electricity. Researchers believe that by removing impurities from the insects’ bodily fluids, it will be possible to generate electricity for extended periods of time, and they hope that these insects can function as biomechanical robots to carry out search operations in disaster sites and other areas inaccessible to humans.