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New Bacterium Could Herald Bio-Batteries

Posted by timothy on from the are-animals-bio-batteries dept.

Clever Pun writes "According to this BBC article, a newly discovered bacterium is able to convert 'uranium and other radionuclides dissolved in water to solid compounds that can be extracted.' It reduces (adds electrons to) positively charged metal ions, making them insoluble in water (making them easier to clean up), which creates small charges of electricity. It has been speculated that this bacterium could potentially be used in a sort of bio-battery. Matrix v0.1b, anyone?"

7 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. Sugar eating bacteria battery by G4from128k · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This sugar eating bacteria battery looks more promising. Runs on sugar and has an 80% conversion efficiency.

    --
    Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
  2. Evolution by ()vnorby() · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not saying evolution didnt happen, but someone explain how an organism like this bacterium could evolve due to "survival of the fittest?"
    It seems quite impossible to understand how a bacterium could have mutations that allow it to "convert 'uranium and other radionuclides dissolved in water to solid compounds that can be extracted.' It reduces (adds electrons to) positively charged metal ions, making them insoluble in water (making them easier to clean up), which creates small charges of electricity."

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    -Vib, videogame freelancer for news0r.com, videogame.net, and vnorby.tk
    1. Re:Evolution by ()vnorby() · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If there are other species of bacteria that we know can do this, why is this one special? Couldn't we theoretically use any kind of bacteria that creates charges of electricity using this type of cycle in a bio-battery? There might be a bacteria that gets their energy from a more common metal ion.

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      -Vib, videogame freelancer for news0r.com, videogame.net, and vnorby.tk
  3. Re:Who cares... by UnknowingFool · · Score: 3, Interesting

    There's a difference between a side benefit and a direct purpose. The bacteria's greatest potential is in the area of environmental clean up. The ability to extract uranium can help in many polluted and toxic areas. The fact that it can generate electricity is a bonus. Sure, it can be adapted for other purposes but that is not the main reason that it is being developed.

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    Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
  4. Re:Who cares... by Nucleon500 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I can think of one other use for heavy-metal extracting bacteria - medicine. Could they be used to counteract lead and mercury poisoning?

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    Litigious bastards
  5. ProtoCulture? by Zarf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I heard about this first on Science Friday on the December 12th show. When I heard them mention the bacteria making electricity I though of the "Proto-Culture" from Robotech. When I was a kid I used to think it was an electricity producing life-form that they found on the SDF-1 ... of course my memories are mostly of Robotech season three... "Genesis Climber Mospeada"

    It would be hilarious if science fact would follow this particular fiction and lead to...
    <Announcer Voice>
    "the awesome power of RoboTech!"
    </Announcer Voice>

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    [signature]
  6. By gosh... by splerdu · · Score: 2, Interesting

    environment it wasn't intended for

    If someone hooks you up with a life's supply of food in exchange for taking your crap what would you do?

    I'd say the bacteria would be happy being in a battery.. They get to feed and we get our volts. It's a win-win situation!