Posted: 29 September 2025
RMIT University researchers announced the development of an experimental 3D-printed diamond–titanium device that generated electricity from flowing liquid and wirelessly received power through tissue, allowing remote monitoring of changes in flow. The innovation was described as a potential pathway to longer-lasting implants such as smart stents, drug-release systems and prosthetics that may never require battery replacement.
Senior lead researcher Dr Arman Ahnood from RMIT’s School of Engineering said the advance addressed a critical challenge in implant technology. “Our goal was to overcome one of the biggest limits in implant technology – the battery,” Dr Ahnood said. “They take up space and eventually fail, which often means another operation. With this approach, implants could run continuously with little or no onboard battery.”
The research team combined lightweight titanium with tiny diamond particles to create a strong, biocompatible, and electrically active material. According to Dr Ahnood, the transformation enabled the device to scavenge energy, sense liquid flow and receive wireless power without active electronics in the implantable component. He noted the approach could also have applications in industries requiring sensors in hard-to-reach environments.
Laboratory tests using saline solutions demonstrated that liquid flowing across the device produced a consistent electrical signal. Dr Peter Sherrell from RMIT’s School of Science highlighted the significance: “This is completely new – most implant materials are either insulating or conducting. It is the combination of both in a single material that lets us see and use this electricity.” While the energy harvested alone would not power most devices, the effect was considered promising when combined with wireless charging.
Professor Kate Fox, from RMIT’s School of Engineering, added that the device could be 3D-printed into complex, patient-specific shapes, enhancing both function and durability.
Further testing was identified as necessary, with the team seeking partners across biomedical and industrial sectors to progress the technology into real-world applications.
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