Just like Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor in Iron Man, which powered his suit without a conventional battery, Dr. Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, a Kerala-born biomedical engineer, is developing battery-free medical implants that generate electricity from body movement. She has been awarded a $3 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship to lead this four-year project at the University of Bradford . Her innovative approach could transform healthcare by powering devices such as pacemakers or stimulating bone growth, eliminating the need for batteries or wires. The technology promises faster recovery for patients and aims to reduce medical waste and healthcare costs, while offering a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional implants.
Pioneering battery-free implants
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's research focuses on Piezoelectroceutics, a field that combines piezoelectric materials with therapeutic applications. Piezoelectric materials are special substances that generate electricity when subjected to pressure, stretching, or movement. By embedding these materials into bone implants, the devices can convert the patient’s natural movements into electrical energy. This electricity can then stimulate bone healing, promote tissue regeneration, or power small medical devices. In essence, the body itself becomes a natural power source, reducing reliance on conventional batteries and the risks associated with battery replacement surgeries.
Implications for pacemakers and other medical devices
One of the most exciting prospects of this research is its potential application in pacemakers. Currently, pacemakers rely on batteries that last 5–10 years, requiring surgical replacement. Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's technology could allow pacemakers to harvest energy from heartbeats or chest movements, keeping them powered for much longer without the need for additional surgery. Beyond pacemakers, the same concept could be applied to other implants such as cochlear devices or bone stimulators. The result would be safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable medical devices that reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
Roots in Kerala and personal journey
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra grew up in a small village in Kerala. Sharing her excitement on LinkedIn, she wrote: “Coming from a middle-class family in a small village in Kerala, India, this moment feels truly surreal.” She credited her achievements to the love, support, and sacrifices of her family, dedicating the fellowship to her husband, daughter, parents, and mentors. Her journey from a modest upbringing to leading a cutting-edge biomedical project in the UK is a source of inspiration for aspiring scientists worldwide, particularly women and Indian-origin researchers.
A step forward in regenerative medicine
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship is one of the most prestigious and competitive research grants in the UK. This award positions the University of Bradford as a global centre for Piezoelectroceutics. Dr Arathyram Ramachandra will also establish a Piezoelectricity Research Cluster at the university, working with a team of PhD students, research fellows, and clinical partners. Collaborations will include institutions such as the University of Cambridge , University of Leeds, UC San Diego, and Summit Medical Ltd, helping translate laboratory findings into real-world healthcare solutions.
Professor Anant Paradkar, Director of the Institute of Health and Social Care, described piezoelectric biomaterials as a paradigm shift, capable of stimulating healing and powering implants in ways previously unimaginable. Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, called the fellowship a landmark achievement for the university and highlighted its importance in promoting innovation, supporting the NHS, and creating opportunities for women in science.
What next
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's project represents a major leap in medical innovation, combining sustainability, cutting-edge science, and practical healthcare solutions. By turning the human body into a self-powered healing system, her work could change the way we think about implants and regenerative medicine. If successful, this technology could reduce the need for repeated surgeries, cut costs, and make medical devices more environmentally friendly, marking a new era in smart, self-sustaining healthcare solutions.
Pioneering battery-free implants
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's research focuses on Piezoelectroceutics, a field that combines piezoelectric materials with therapeutic applications. Piezoelectric materials are special substances that generate electricity when subjected to pressure, stretching, or movement. By embedding these materials into bone implants, the devices can convert the patient’s natural movements into electrical energy. This electricity can then stimulate bone healing, promote tissue regeneration, or power small medical devices. In essence, the body itself becomes a natural power source, reducing reliance on conventional batteries and the risks associated with battery replacement surgeries.
Implications for pacemakers and other medical devices
One of the most exciting prospects of this research is its potential application in pacemakers. Currently, pacemakers rely on batteries that last 5–10 years, requiring surgical replacement. Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's technology could allow pacemakers to harvest energy from heartbeats or chest movements, keeping them powered for much longer without the need for additional surgery. Beyond pacemakers, the same concept could be applied to other implants such as cochlear devices or bone stimulators. The result would be safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable medical devices that reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
Roots in Kerala and personal journey
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra grew up in a small village in Kerala. Sharing her excitement on LinkedIn, she wrote: “Coming from a middle-class family in a small village in Kerala, India, this moment feels truly surreal.” She credited her achievements to the love, support, and sacrifices of her family, dedicating the fellowship to her husband, daughter, parents, and mentors. Her journey from a modest upbringing to leading a cutting-edge biomedical project in the UK is a source of inspiration for aspiring scientists worldwide, particularly women and Indian-origin researchers.
A step forward in regenerative medicine
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship is one of the most prestigious and competitive research grants in the UK. This award positions the University of Bradford as a global centre for Piezoelectroceutics. Dr Arathyram Ramachandra will also establish a Piezoelectricity Research Cluster at the university, working with a team of PhD students, research fellows, and clinical partners. Collaborations will include institutions such as the University of Cambridge , University of Leeds, UC San Diego, and Summit Medical Ltd, helping translate laboratory findings into real-world healthcare solutions.
Professor Anant Paradkar, Director of the Institute of Health and Social Care, described piezoelectric biomaterials as a paradigm shift, capable of stimulating healing and powering implants in ways previously unimaginable. Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, called the fellowship a landmark achievement for the university and highlighted its importance in promoting innovation, supporting the NHS, and creating opportunities for women in science.
What next
Dr Arathyram Ramachandra's project represents a major leap in medical innovation, combining sustainability, cutting-edge science, and practical healthcare solutions. By turning the human body into a self-powered healing system, her work could change the way we think about implants and regenerative medicine. If successful, this technology could reduce the need for repeated surgeries, cut costs, and make medical devices more environmentally friendly, marking a new era in smart, self-sustaining healthcare solutions.
You may also like
State pensioners issued urgent warning over tax 'changes' - 'in the firing line'
Who is in the cast of The Forsytes as new adaptation of beloved novel airs?
'I viewed one of London's cheapest houses and it was mind blowing inside'
Udhayanidhi Stalin inspects flood-mitigation work in Chennai as monsoon intensifies
Colombia recalls ambassador from the US amid tariff, drug spat
