MIT Building Batteries Using Viruses

thefickler writes "Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are now using viruses to build cathodes for Lithium-Ion batteries. Three years ago these same researchers found they could build an anode using viruses. Creating both the anode and cathode using viruses will make batteries easy to build. This nanoscale battery technology will allow batteries to be lightweight and to 'take the shape of their container' rather than creating containers for the batteries, which could open up new possibilities for car and electronics manufacturers."

Comments

It's harmless.

[mail2345]

According to the article, these virii only infect bacteria. Unless they mutate. I'm fairly certain that they have controls to prevent that kind of thing. Plus, phage based medications turned out to not to have a high chance of fatalities.

Re:It's harmless.

[geekoid]

It's bad enough when people in IT show there ignorance by using the term virii when talking about computer programs.
This is actual wet science, so use the correct singular and plural.

viÂrus (vÄ'rÉ(TM)s) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. viÂrusÂes

      1.
                  1. Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.
                  2. A disease caused by a virus.
      2. Something that poisons one's soul or mind: the pernicious virus of racism.
      3. Computer Science A computer virus.

Re:It's harmless.

[Anonymous Coward]

From Latin virus (Toxin, poison); Nom./Acc. Pler. viri...

Re:It's harmless.

[Hurricane78]

do you know how many percent of the cells in our body are actually bacteria?
without that bacteria, you would:
- get infected with every crap bacteria you touch (your whole skin is coated in good bacteria, to keep the bad away)
- not be able to digest your food (your intestines are full of them, doing good work for you)
- and even change your way of thinking (because bacteria interact with the communication of neurons. complicated stuff. can't find the article now.)

you wouldn't even be able to survive without them!

So you better care for your bacterial friends, or other not no nice forms may soon replace them. :)

Re:It's harmless.

[Anonymous Coward]

The Real WT^W^W^WIt's even worse that SourceForge doesn't give a fuck about making Slashdot support Unicode.

Re:It's harmless.

[Gibbs-Duhem]

The virus they're using has been approved for use in the human body by the FDA, if I recall correctly.

But even then, the virus is obliterated after forming the materials, isn't it? I mean, don't they heat treat it at pretty high temperatures to burn out the residual organics?

Re:It's harmless.

[syousef]

It's bad enough when people in IT show there ignorance by using the term virii when talking about computer programs.

First of all, it has already been pointed out you used the wrong word "there" instead of "their" which is just brilliant irony.

Secondly both words "virii" and "viruses" have been used widely. Quoting a single source (poorly without previewing) to single one out as the "correct" one is just silly. At the very least if you're going to point out the mistake, point to some relevant information on why "viruses" is the correct pluralisation. Here I'll do it for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plural_of_virus#Use_of_the_form_virii

Thirdly, why do you quote the rest of the definition of the word virus? I didn't realise this was some obscure and unknown word that needed to be explained.

In summary, pipe down you arrogant jackass. Correct your own mistakes before trolling over other people's.

Re:http://deschaines.mybrute.com

[sexconker]

This shit was retarded when it was in French.
Its still completely random and completely retarded.