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

Hope all goes well

[FlyByPC]

Now there's a whatcouldpossiblygowrong article if I ever saw one...

Re:Hope all goes well

[kkrajewski]

(Doctor pulls out voltmeter.) Hold these, please. Yep, you're infected.

Re:Hope all goes well

[geekoid]

cold fusion? this isn't fusion at all. None of the byproducts you need to show that it is fusion exist.

Re:Hope all goes well

[julesh]

Now there's a whatcouldpossiblygowrong article if I ever saw one...

Well, yes, the people who use that tag are all reactionary luddites, and this story will appeal to them.

Please, what could go wrong with this? The virus escapes and... err... behaves almost exactly like the virus it was engineered from? Except, you know, in presence of iron phosphate (a rather rare substance) it grows in a different shape. Clearly a danger to the survival of our species, there.

What kind of virus

[iminplaya]

will power your vibrator? Herpes? You just scratch it to recharge?

And a new super-hero is born!

[erroneus]

After an accidental viral infection at MIT labs, the new hero can now do things that only batteries could do before! His given name, Melvin C. Cooper emerges now as "D u r a M e l !"

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.

[mattack2]

It's also bad enough when people apparently don't use the "Preview" button first.

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.

[derGoldstein]

It's bad enough when people in IT show there ignorance

"there" ignorance, huh?...

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:It's a creative use for conficker

[interstellar_donkey]

Well, presumably they wouldn't build the battery with the HIV or influenza virus in it. Unless, of course, Energizer is feeling especially cruel.

Re:It's a creative use for conficker

[drinkypoo]

Well, presumably they wouldn't build the battery with the HIV or influenza virus in it. Unless, of course, Energizer is feeling especially cruel.

Would that be "It keeps going... and going... and going..." or "New Energizer! Oy!"