DIY Living Computer Battery 127
An anonymous reader writes "Talk about a living battery/pollution clean up/environmentally friendly battery, this seems to fit all the buzz words. Researchers at UMass reported in the journal Science about their sediment battery. 'Derek R. Lovley, UMass microbiologist and team leader, explained how the team used water and sediment from Boston Harbor, a collection of mason jars, ordinary electrical wiring and sterile graphite electrodes to determine the science behind the mechanics of a simple, sediment battery. Using Desulfuromonas acetoxidans (a Geobacter bacteria) the researchers were able to produce enough electrical current to power a lightbulb or a simple computer.'" The linked article is low on details - post 'em in the comments if you have more information on related projects.
The possibilities (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The possibilities (Score:2)
Re:The possibilities (Score:5, Informative)
The creek near your house might be better put to use as a hydroelectric generator [ntu.ac.uk].
Biological fuel cells [automation.hut.fi] have been around for a long time. The ones we built in high school used yeast.
Here [umass.edu] is more information on Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. You can buy pure cultures here [www.dsmz.de].
An article with more information (didn't Hemos ask?) is here [umass.edu].
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
1) Generates power.
2) Requires nutrients (say, like sewage)
3) Generates O2, like algae
Sounds like it would be really useful in an interstellar ship, doesn't it?
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
Either way, didn't they say (below, someone linked to the UMass site) it could be used as a petrolium substitute? That would also be handy.
Re:The possibilities (Score:1, Troll)
It wasn't all that long ago in the scheme of things that we harnessed some of the energy flows we found in nature. Now, I think we are on the virge of something far greater.
When God ( insert your own belief here on how everything came to be ) created the Universe and any/all life in it, He provided a heckuva lot of DNA coding examples for us. The Firefly. The Electric Eel. Viruses ( Yes, they are a splendid example of how to alter existing code in a cell ), even cancer itself can be seen as something to be harnessed, as the time may come we *want* something to take something else over. There is an almost infinite variety of code segments out there that do all sorts of useful things. If we can figure out how to take the code snippets that do useful things and arrange them in such a manner to provide useful functions, we will arrive in the next generation of our "evolution". I believe God meant us to do this. I find no other reason He coded his work with so many examples of how to do things. Like a textbook! If God had wanted sheep, He would have stopped there.
I hope the best for the Space Program. It is my firm belief God expects us to leave Earth one day, because He made Pulsars. Can you imagine interstellar navigation in four dimensions ( remember time shifts come into play when we start talking substantial velocities ), without stellar "lighthouses" which generate extremely consistent and unique timing pulses which can be seen from anywhere in the Universe? I think that was such insight to provide such a thing.
Food for thought for me. Thanks. God, for all the toys! May we use them for the benefit of all.
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
Oh for god's sake man - WAKE UP!
You people sound ridiculous trying to rationalize and rectify your cult by 'co-opting' reasonable scientific attitudes and this "god intended it" shit -- christ man, the bible is an effort to control the population (enslave them with bumb-in-the-night fearmongering at worst and baffle them with high ideals at best) and YOU CANT CAST it away even in the face of your desire to accept the world around you.
Please, do yourself a favour, answer yourself this: had you been born in some other place (india for instance) your parents would have bread-into-you the belief that Cows were gods on earth -- you would look at christians with disdain and disbleief.
Really, grow up man. If more of you dont start thinking for yourselves, taking responsibility for your actions instead of abdacating to a god we're all doomed.
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
Honestly ( and my religion runs me out of town for saying it ), I do not know what God is.
The only way I see I can study God is to study science, because it is the only God which is evident to me. I can only study my creator by studying creation. I have no idea what it is. A person? A spirit? I flat do not have the foggiest idea yet. But it does not mean I will try to find out.
I have no intention of accepting anything cuz someone says so. I need proof. I feel I can preach when I have some concrete evidence to support my position.
If I gave the intent of preaching, my sincere apology. anubi.
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
"There's a difference between an atheist and a god-hater. As a former atheist, you insult me...." I think is how it went.
If more of you dont start thinking for yourselves, taking responsibility for your actions instead of abdacating....
"Abdacating" eh? Thinking for yourself has gotten you far....
Re:The possibilities (Score:2)
I am a god hater - because the concept of god is an excuse for complacency, ignorance and apathy. The idea fuels endless jihad-like wars from catholic/protestant battles in Ireland, spanish crusades, the puritan witch burnings, muslims stoning women in the street - all facilitated/fostered by religion. I am an advocate of personal responsibility, of deciding how youd like the world's future to be and making it so. Cultists navel gaze about why 'the creator' did this, or doesnt do that, what a waste of time.
There is no god, the only thing we have to rely on is one-another, and the "religion" come "idiot barrier" prevents 75% of Canadians (other 25% are atheists/agnostic) from participating in society. So yes, I hate "god". I also hate illiteracy, birth-defects and pollution.
"Abdacating" eh? Thinking for yourself has gotten you far....
How about "abdicating" then - big f'ing deal... I can use a spellcheck as well as you.
Re:The possibilities (Score:1)
Yes, but, would we have had monty python's work without it. Think about it, do you really want to do away with:
ARTHUR: I'm averting my eyes, oh Lord.
GOD: Well, don't. It's like those miserable Psalms - they're so depressing.
How about "abdicating" then - big f'ing deal... I can use a spellcheck as well as you.
And, apparently, you should....
Boston Harbor Sediment (Score:5, Funny)
Do you still have to get a hepatitis shot if you fall in the harbor?
Re:Boston Harbor Sediment (Score:2)
Re:Boston Harbor Sediment (Score:1)
Re:Boston Harbor Sediment (Score:2)
Shit happens (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Boston Harbor Sediment (Score:1)
Ewww? (Score:1)
Living Battery? (Score:5, Funny)
Wake up little bacteria.... (Score:1)
Take the blue pill Neo (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Take the blue pill Neo (Score:3, Funny)
And the second step is fusion? (Score:5, Funny)
It was here [intuitor.com]. I dunno. Just made me think of that.
Re:And the second step is fusion? (Score:1)
An example of how (Score:4, Interesting)
Ye gods. (Score:3, Funny)
New gardening tip... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:New gardening tip... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:New gardening tip... (Score:1)
Who needs oil? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Who needs oil? (Score:1)
Fat American as working batteries (Score:1, Funny)
Microbes are in the electron-generation business as well. Rather than generate extra electrons to move down a wire, microbes obtain electrons from organic material (sugars, proteins, fats)
Now we just have to find a way to convert human fat to electricity. A luposuction powered electic car. You get a body that you want, save the environment and stop funding the terrorist!
But now would that pave the road for the future world in Matrix?
Re:Fat American as working batteries (Score:2)
I'm just waiting (Score:3, Funny)
1 - cheap power from reusable sources (humans digestive systems)
2 - intake fans in bathroom will help with gas odors left in bathroom
Re:I'm just waiting (Score:2, Funny)
this one , just imagine sitting at your pc and
having to flatulate every 5 minutes to keep it
going , don't think you'd be able to get many
friends into the computer room.
And it might introduce a new breed social disorders
including powering the computer when you aren't even near one
Re:I'm just waiting (Score:4, Funny)
Re:next up, my gym bag (Score:1)
Boston Harbor eh? (Score:3, Funny)
Copper + ZInc + Acid (Score:2)
Baz
Re:Copper + ZInc + Acid (Score:3, Informative)
Oh No (Score:2, Funny)
Article info (Score:5, Informative)
This is the corresponding article in Science:
Electrode-Reducing Microorganisms That Harvest Energy from Marine Sediments
Daniel R. Bond, Dawn E. Holmes, Leonard M. Tender, and Derek R. Lovley
Science 2002 January 18; 295: 483-485. (in Reports)
Re:Article info (Score:3, Informative)
Not as cool as running a server off a potato (Score:1)
More information on microbial power plants (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/archive/2002/01170 2electrodes.html
http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/archive/2002/11130 2harbor.htm
Stephenson's Zodiac (Score:1, Funny)
Ah! That explains everything! (Score:5, Funny)
Hands up (Score:5, Funny)
Epitome of biological energy (Score:1)
Original paper published January 2002... (Score:5, Informative)
Not hardly. (Score:1)
BC
Go ZooMass! (Score:1)
At least someone out here is doing something important!
Modern "Potato Clock" (Score:3, Interesting)
You stuck potatoes (or fruit) in plastic cups, hooked up some wires to them and *wallah* you had your own LCD clock running just fine.
Re:Modern "Potato Clock" (Score:1)
(it was supposed to be someone slurring the sentence ".. I got up at 8 o'clock")
Re:Modern "Potato Clock" (Score:2, Informative)
From http://www.quantumscientific.com/pclock.html [quantumscientific.com]
The potato contains phosphoric acid. This acid causes chemical reactions to occur at each of the electrodes (galvanized nail and copper penny). The reaction at the copper electrode strips electrons from the copper and attaches them to the Hydrogen ions (2H+) in the phosphoric acid. This depletes the electrons on the copper electrode which makes it "hungry" for more. The process creates Hydrogen gas.
Ok, well, maybe you would really really big potato battery, or a really really tiny car...
Re:Modern "Potato Clock" (Score:1, Informative)
Biological batteries are quite different : some microorganisms have the ability to directly oxydize nutriments (to feed themselves) and electrons are generated in the process. When there is no more nutriments available, you just add more and you get more power. That's why it's called a fuel cell, you do not need to change the cell when it is used, you just need to add more fuel. It is also very interresting to be able to get power from what you'd otherwise throw away, like old vegetables or any organic matter.
What about.... (Score:1)
'cause if you need more for that manufacture process than you can produce with the microbes, it won't work great....
also don't forget the energy required to get the microbes in the first place....
Re:What about.... (Score:1)
Iraq. (Score:2, Funny)
It's all coming clear to me now.. Bush doesn't want to take Iraq's oil, they want to use all their sand for energy.
Note to myself (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Or... (Score:1)
Feed the bacteria (Score:1)
But for how long? (Score:2)
You can run a simple computer on a potato if you really want to. The question is For how long can you run it for?
Re:But for how long? (Score:1)
Important question. (Score:1, Redundant)
One billion volts? (Score:1)
What about hog farms? Wow.
Details, details, details (Score:5, Informative)
They've actually put two of these things up in field sites, and it works well in both polluted (Tuckerton, NJ) and unpolluted (Newport, OR) areas. The energy it's harvesting is from the difference between the oxidizing environment we live in and the reducing environment in which sediment bacteria turn organic matter into methane (and no, the methane can't be effectively harvested.)
The good news is that the power supply was very steady over 3 months. The bad news is that the power so low as to be useless - it averaged at 28 MILLIwatts per square meter. The area needing to be covered in order to run a lightbulb is left as an exercise for the reader, but the answer's big. They're currently thinking this might be a good way to power long-term monitoring devices deployed in the middle of the ocean and other distant places, but as a practical power source - go get a photovoltaic!
Re:Details, details, details (Score:2)
Keep in mind that surface area is not necessarily a meaningful indicator of volume. If it is just raw surface area that is needed, you can fold the material repeatedly to condense it into a small volume. Think of a radiator or heatsink. I'm not sure if this is at all applicable to this processes, but it's possibile.
Re:Details, details, details (Score:1)
Batteries that use sediment from Boston Harbor... (Score:1)
Employee: "My laptop battery developed a leak."
Why? (Score:3, Interesting)
I suspect the R&D effort would be pretty minimal and the biggest hurdle would be funding. Starting a solar power plant is really expensive, but it should be pretty low-risk and high-profit since ongoing expenses would be virtually nil (repairs, and a few people to monitor things). Can someone more knowledgeable about the industry explain to me why nobody has paved over a few square miles of Nevada desert with solar panels yet?
Re:Why? (Score:5, Informative)
A quote from this article [umass.edu]:
Other uses might be to power seafloor monitoring instruments, or just to indicate that some interesting reaction is taking place.
Re:Why? (Score:1, Interesting)
Room Temp superconductors (Score:1)
"If you know how to build (room temperature superconductors) come see me."
I don't care how expensive they are, I'll buy them.
=>
Now, a cool excuse to build a wetlands.. (Score:1)
I once saw a house that processed sewage/waste with a swimming pool size artificial wetlands.. interesting to power your house too!
dupe! (Score:1)
First Desulfuromonas acetoxidans ... (Score:1, Redundant)
Next, autonomous machines.
After that, humans as batteries for the autonomous machines.
Who said The Matrix wasn't real?
Re:First Desulfuromonas acetoxidans ... (Score:1)
Re:First Desulfuromonas acetoxidans ... (Score:1)
Stop the presses! (Score:2)
My neighbor just told me that kids at the elementary school down the street are powering a digital clock (small computer?) with electricity generated by a potato.
Things will never be the same.
another reference to it (Score:1, Informative)
Like any other "powered by" claims.... (Score:1)
A different way of doing it? (Score:2, Interesting)
Obligatory comment (Score:1)
Where have I seen this before? (Score:2)
Re:DIY=??? (Score:1)