MIT Secretly Built Mega-Efficient Nano Batteries

mattnyc99 writes "There was plenty of chatter last week about an MIT announcement that researcher Angela Belcher had developed a way to create virus-based nanoscale batteries to power mini gadgets of the future. In a fascinating followup at Popular Mechanics, Belcher now says that her unpublished work includes full-scale models of the batteries themselves, and that they could power everything from cars and laptops to medical devices and wearable armor. Quoting: 'We haven't ruled out cars. That's a lot of amplification. But right now the thing is trying to make the best material possible, and if we get a really great material, then we have to think about how do you scale it.'"

Comments

Re:What could go wrong?

[DeadDecoy]

This will be perfect for running my Vista laptop as it already runs on viruses!

Re:Efficiency?

[Waffle Iron]

and they haven't actually built anything yet, except full scale models (whatever that means).

Creating 1:1 scale battery models is one of my hobbies. I find that tubes from toilet paper rolls work well as a base for models of D cells. Large drinking straws are a good starting point for AAA cells. Old laundry detergent boxes are great when you want to move to more advanced projects like automobile batteries.

Re:What could go wrong?

[incognito84]

Biological viruses in the batteries and Vista on the hard drive... That cocktail can only mean... Good god man! What have you done?

Obligatories

[clyde_cadiddlehopper]

1) What could possibly go wrong?

2) Grow virus, Stir in cobalt oxide and gold, Add electrolyte, Invent cathode, ..., PROFIT!

3) I for one welcome our new secretly developed, Army-funded, virus-based, electricity producing overlords.

4) But will it run Natalie Portman's vibrator?