Electricity Producing Bacteria

American Society of Microbiology
Science Daily
19 May, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130519191102.htm

Summary:

    Scientists have recently been able to create a type of bacteria which can use hydrogen (live in water) and use carbon dioxide (CO2 commonly found in the atmosphere) to produce electricity. This could be a potentially huge step forward in the way we produce electricity due to the bacteria's needs being so abundant in the atmosphere. Researchers at UMASS AMHERST made this particular strain of bacteria. The bacteria create electricity by producing electrical current in microbial fuel cells with an electron being given to the cell from the hydrogen. It also does not need an organic carbon source, something generally needed. It has also been observed that when the hydrogen was removed for short periods of time the electron current activity would greatly decrease. With this potential for a new way to obtain energy multiple doors have opened into the future of powering the world.

Connection:

    Throughout our studies in biology we have talked about carbon dioxide being an important gas with plants and other organisms. This discovery further supports the importance of carbon dioxide. Also, we talked about how hydrogen readily shares electrons. Most recently was our talk about bacteria and we have learned through this and other examples that bacteria is not just a negative word, bacteria can be useful and beneficial to our lives. On a more broad scale we have talked about electrical currents being passed on in humans through cells, using words such as myelin sheath or synapsis, where in this case the elctrical current is being passed inside a bacteria. Lastly, as the world searches for better and cleaner ways to power their cities and other things requiring electricity this discovery seems to be a step in the right direction.