Scientists have created a paper battery that can be swallowed to power medical devices inside the body, offering a potential alternative to conventional implanted batteries that must eventually be removed through surgery. The tiny power source, tested in pigs, dissolves inside the digestive tract after several months, according to research published in the journal Nature.
The development addresses a persistent challenge in internal medicine: how to supply electricity to devices such as pacemakers, drug-delivery pumps, and diagnostic sensors without leaving behind hardware that can cause complications or require a second operation. Traditional batteries are made from materials that are toxic if they break down inside the body, so they are sealed in protective casings and typically retrieved or replaced surgically.
The new battery is constructed from paper and other materials that are safe for ingestion. It generates enough power to run small medical devices while remaining inside the digestive system, and then gradually breaks down over a period of months. The researchers tested the device in pigs, a common animal model for human digestive and medical research, and observed that it functioned as intended before dissolving.
If the technology proves safe and effective in humans, it could simplify procedures that currently require implanted power sources. Patients with temporary internal monitoring devices, for example, might one day swallow a battery to power them rather than undergo surgery to place and later remove a conventional battery. The approach could also reduce the risk of infection and other complications associated with surgical implantation.
The research is still at an early stage. The tests in pigs represent a proof of concept, and further studies will be needed to determine how the battery performs in humans, how much power it can reliably deliver, and how long it remains functional before dissolving. The exact composition of the battery and the timeline for its breakdown were not detailed in the available information.
Edible and dissolvable electronics have become an active area of research in recent years, as scientists seek ways to integrate medical technology more seamlessly with the human body. The paper battery joins a growing list of experimental devices designed to monitor health, deliver drugs, or assist with diagnosis from within the digestive tract, then disappear without a trace.
The findings were published online in September 2026. The work was reported by Nature, which noted that the tiny power sources were tested in pigs and dissolve inside the digestive tract after several months. No information about the research team, their institutions, or plans for human trials was included in the available material.
For patients who rely on internal medical devices, the prospect of a battery that simply dissolves after its work is done could mean fewer procedures, less discomfort, and lower risk. But the path from animal testing to approved medical use is typically long, and the battery will need to clear significant safety and efficacy hurdles before it reaches clinics.