Electric Eel Power

PhysOrg reports on a slithery new power source – the eel generator:

Electric eels channel the output of thousands of specialized cells called electrocytes to generate electric potentials of up to 600 volts, according to biologists.

Their calculations show that substantial improvements are possible. One design for an artificial cell generates more than 40 percent more energy in a single pulse than a natural electrocyte. Another would produce peak power outputs over 28 percent higher.

They’re planning to use these to replace the batteries in pacemakers. And maybe to power our new bionic limbs.