System and methods for dialysis effluent power harvesting

A wearable or portable kidney dialysis system comprising:

• a dialysis machine comprising a pump configured to move dialysate through a filtering component of the dialysis machine;
• an electric circuit in communication with the dialysis machine and configured to control electronic components, including the pump, of the dialysis machine;
• wherein the filtering component includes an electricity generation and purification membrane (EPM) in a filtering path of the filtering component, wherein the EPM is coupled to the electric circuit;
• and
• wherein the EPM is configured to generate electricity in response to dialysate moving through the filtering path of the filtering component and provide the generated electricity to the electric circuit to power the electronic components of the dialysis machine.

A method of powering electronic components in a dialysis machine for renal filtration comprising a pump to move dialysate through a filtering component of the dialysis machine, the method comprising:

• providing an electric circuit in communication with the dialysis machine for controlling electronic components thereof, including the pump;
• arranging an electricity generation and purification membrane (EPM) in a filtering path of the filtering component, wherein the EPM is coupled to the electric circuit;
• and
• in response to dialysate moving through the filtering path of the filtering component, forwarding electric current produced by the EPM to the electric circuit to power the electronic components of the dialysis machine.