Microbes Make Electricity From Mud

Judebert writes "University of Massachusetts microbiologists have discovered that certain microbes, under ordinary conditions, create electricity from the mud they live in. The scientists used plain mud from Boston Harbor, mason jars, a few carbon electrodes, and some wiring to light a lightbulb with the Geobacter-supplied power. Apparently they're eating one of the electrodes, along with some complex organics, to do the deed. (The microbes, not the scientists.) With a bit of genetic engineering, they could be modified to eat toxic organic wastes, such as toluene, thereby providing electricity, lighting a light and warning you that there's something in the water. The UMass article has pictures, but if you're just interested in the text you can check out this Science Daily article instead."

Comments

Try it yourself

[DaoudaW]

The principal investigator in this study, Derek Lovley was on NPR's Talk of the Nation Science Friday (Real Audio). He really encouraged people try microbial power for themselves. He admitted that it was a bit of a trick to keep everything properly insulated in the wet environment, but offered to give tips to those who contact him.