Breakthrough in Electricity-Producing Microbe 177
University of Massachusetts researchers have made a breakthrough with "Geobacter," a microbe that produces electric current from mud and wastewater. A conservative estimate puts the energy output increase at eight times that of the original organism, potentially allowing applications far beyond that of extracting electricity from mud. "Now, planning can move forward to design microbial fuel cells that convert waste water and renewable biomass to electricity, treat a single home's waste while producing localized power (especially attractive in developing countries), power mobile electronics, vehicles and implanted medical devices, and drive bioremediation of contaminated environments."
If it could purify (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:If it could purify (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I, for one... (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm always amazed at how little variation there really is in energy production. Really there are only two sources of energy here on earth:
-Solar
-Nuclear
Even geothermal is powered by the heat of the earth's core, which is itself powered by radioactivity. (I guess one could argue that the radioactive elements were formed in a star, making them solar as well, but that's a bit too far for me.)
Talk about the future.. (Score:2, Interesting)
This is no joke! (Score:3, Interesting)
- Man electrocuted on toilet
- Tip for rainy weather: wear well-insulated boots when walking in mud
- Tomato fields plagued by ball lightning after manure fertilization
- In the 3rd world, muddy unpaved roads power electric scooters
The idea of dipping my iPhone into the nearest bucket of shit sickens me, and yet this may become the favored means of charging one's phone in a hurry.
I suppose a welcome next step will be a second microbe that neutralizes the stench.
Re:Not So Fast (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm wondering what would happen to compost heaps after some time with this bacteria. Will they be still useful for growing plants with them, or will they become "de-energized"?
Re:More efficient adaptation, but... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I, for one... (Score:2, Interesting)
And all energy is atomic energy, the difference comes in how we decide to extract that energy.
Re:Not So Fast (Score:3, Interesting)
Ooooh. Interesting question! It binds iron and other metals, so that might make them more digestible, or less. Truely unclear.
Re:I, for one... (Score:5, Interesting)
Tidal?