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Breakthrough in Electricity-Producing Microbe

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the devil-in-the-dark dept.

University of Massachusetts researchers have made a breakthrough with "Geobacter," a microbe that produces electric current from mud and wastewater. A conservative estimate puts the energy output increase at eight times that of the original organism, potentially allowing applications far beyond that of extracting electricity from mud. "Now, planning can move forward to design microbial fuel cells that convert waste water and renewable biomass to electricity, treat a single home's waste while producing localized power (especially attractive in developing countries), power mobile electronics, vehicles and implanted medical devices, and drive bioremediation of contaminated environments."

20 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. I, for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...welcome our new shit-eating overlords?

    1. Re:I, for one... by CorporateSuit · · Score: 5, Funny

      We're talking about a microbe that can turn bullshit into electricity? I suppose this is the one way that Congress will give power back to the people....

      --
      I am the richest astronaut ever to win the superbowl.
    2. Re:I, for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      We're talking about a microbe that can turn bullshit into electricity?

      Yep. Think about it: This site alone gives as much back as it takes. Sites like Infowars and Freep suddenly become self-sustaining generators. Fox News reduces its carbon footprint to near-zero levels!

    3. Re:I, for one... by amoeba1911 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Generalize a little more and say everything in the whole universe has only one source of energy:

      Nuclear

    4. Re:I, for one... by mldi · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...welcome our new shit-eating overlords?

      ...different from our politician overlords how?

      --
      If you aren't suspicious of your government's actions, you aren't doing your job as a responsible citizen.
  2. Some of my favorites... by grasshoppa · · Score: 4, Funny

    - This story stinks!
    - The OP is full of shit!
    - I get shitty service on my phone now!

    I'll show myself out.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
    1. Re:Some of my favorites... by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bah.

      See, I knew we'd find a use for dark matter!

      --
      My blog
  3. In other news by michaelmalak · · Score: 5, Funny

    Obama calls for "regime change" in the Republic of Elbonia.

  4. And in East Elbonia by wowbagger · · Score: 3, Funny

    And in East Elbonia, they are planning on dominating the world's energy market in 20 years....

    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  5. this reminds me by hypergreatthing · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe it's time to evaluate 2 girls 1 cup for educational reasons...

    Then again maybe not

  6. Needs a new power unit by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 4, Funny

    How should we name the unit to represent Joules Per Flush? I vote for the Crapper.

  7. Let's get serious by DontLickJesus · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is wonderful news. Ideas like these are the kind of things that turn energy into a free for all. Remember the water cycle? Any American was taught this process by at least middle school. IMHO creating an "Energy Cycle" is our ultimate goal here. Who knew a septic tank would end up back in style? Hook up a few power cables and whammo! Instant power station. Yes, I'm full of shit. I have the power.

    --
    Where genius and insanity become confused true wisdom is found
  8. IMPOSSIBLE! BLASPEHMOUS! by AP31R0N · · Score: 1, Funny

    This isn't a new bacteria! This creature was invented by God and was on the Ark with Noah six thousand years ago!

    --
    Utilizing the synergization of benchmark e-solutions to pre-workaround action items!
    1. Re:IMPOSSIBLE! BLASPEHMOUS! by DeusExMach · · Score: 1, Funny

      Impossible, as the Earth is only 6000 years old.

  9. Great.. by jerep · · Score: 3, Funny

    soon we'll be purchasing dirt and instead of oil, declaring war against third world countries to steal their wastes, and those environmentalists are gonna whine about the smell.

    --
    Do you D?
  10. New energy source!?! by lowfence · · Score: 2, Funny

    So brown is the new green?

  11. downside being by circletimessquare · · Score: 3, Funny

    1. you get a tingly feeling every time you sit on the toilet, and its not from your feet falling asleep

    2. if your septic tank overflows you're in danger of electrocuting the family dog

    3. you also have to be careful where you piss, or you'll know what its like to urinate on the third rail of light rail system

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  12. Mr Fusion by prell · · Score: 2, Funny

    MR FUSION!! http://bttf.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Fusion

  13. Obligatory... by theJML · · Score: 3, Funny

    ..."Dennis! There's some Lovely Filth down here!"...

    --
    -=JML=-
  14. Protestor sign of the future: by Chris+Burke · · Score: 3, Funny

    "No blood for poop!"

    This joke is 100% recycled via humor-digesting bacteria.

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are