From the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a battery based on bacteria production of electrical charge has been announced. Led by Dr. Tom Clarke, the team shown for the first time the exact proteins needed to allow for bacteria to become a sort of 'bio-battery." Dr. Clarke explains, " This is an exciting advance in our understanding of how some bacterial species move electrons from the inside to the outside of a cell. Identifying the precise molecular structure of the key proteins involved in this process is a crucial step towards tapping into microbes as a viable future source of electricity.”
Prior to this discovery the team worked on the way certain bacteria can exist in environment devoid of oxygen. The team found that the bacteria constructs "nano-wires" called MtrCAB that attach directly to rock's mineral content, also known as Iron respiration. From this finding, the team wanted to see what it took to force the bacteria to produce charge.
The next step for the team to see if the bacteria can be directly connected to electrodes, and if they can make an efficient fuel-cell like system. Concurrently, they want to see if the same bacteria could be used to clean up oil spills, sewage, and other wastes. This research is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the US Department of Energy. Dr. Clarke is working with Prof Julea Butt and David Richardson at the University of East Anglia.
This is not to be confused by, but is similar to, the algae based biofuel from Rochester Institute of Technology. A bio-based energy future is on the way.
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