Another pioneering study from scientists…

Ege University (EU) Mechanical Engineering Department Thermodynamics Department faculty member Dr. Instructor The project “Development of the Thermoelectric Power Generation System Printed on a 3D Printer for Implanted Medical Devices and Placed Inside the Body”, led by its member Gökhan Gürlek, was entitled to be supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). Within the scope of the project, a thermoelectric power generation system to be placed under the skin will be developed to meet the power requirements of implanted medical devices used against chronic diseases. Bio-compatible and flexible materials, which will be produced with the possibility of personal design using multi-nozzle 3D printer technology, will be used for energy harvesting.

Ege University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak, “Dr. As a result of the project, Gürlek and his team will develop a thermoelectric energy generator system, which will be placed under the skin and benefit from the temperature difference between the external ambient temperature and the internal body temperature, thus meeting or supporting the power requirements of the implanted medical devices. This project includes the development of biocompatible and flexible thermoelectric ink material, It includes the design and production of a thermoelectric generator system using this material with additive manufacturing technology, and the verification of this developed prototype on animal models. Dr. Instructor I congratulate its member Gökhan Gürlek and his team.”

It will be produced with the possibility of personal design.

Commenting on the study, Dr. Instructor Member Gökhan Gürlek said, “This project includes the development of ink with thermoelectric properties, the design and production of 3D printers that can print ink, the design of thermoelectric energy generator, prototype production and characterization, the design of thermoelectric power generation system in which electronic cards are included in the system, prototype production and characterization. The system consists of 5 stages, including design verification in the animal model. Developing an in-body thermoelectric power generation system that is flexible, biocompatible, high-performance, capable of meeting the electrical power needed by implanted medical devices, charging the batteries of implanted medical devices used with the power generation system to be placed under the skin, and increasing the battery life, Ensuring more power generation by cold or hot application on the skin, design and production of a multi-nozzle 3D printer that allows co-printing of inks with thermoelectric properties, production of flexible and biocompatible thermoelectric material using layered production methods, and the effect of layered structure on electrical and thermal resistances. The unique aspects of this project are the production of a personalized system with layered production methods depending on the anatomical characteristics of the region to be implanted.

It will be the first in the literature

Emphasizing that the project continues, Dr. Instructor Member Gökhan Gürlek said, “With the thermoelectric power generation system, which is the output of this ongoing project, the power requirement of implanted medical devices will be met, while at the same time, the frequency of operations for battery replacement will be reduced or the need for surgery will be eliminated, taking into account patient comfort. Although there is no study on this subject in the literature, it is the first of its kind.

Multidisciplinary project team from different universities

Conducted by Dr. Instructor In the multidisciplinary project made by its member Gökhan Gürlek; Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Science Department of Chemistry lecturer Prof. Dr. Yoldaş Seki, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences academic member Assoc. Dr. Emre Divarcı, Celal Bayar University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering lecturer. Instructor Şeyma Taşdemir, Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty members Dr. Instructor Member Barış Oğuz Gürses, Assoc. Dr. Mehmet Sarikanat, Assoc. Dr. Lütfiye Altay and Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Basic Medical Sciences lecturer Prof. Dr. Altuğ Yavaşoğlu is taking place.

Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency