When looking to invent a new technology, often the best approach is to copy or steal from nature. This even applies to electronics, as shown by researchers from America. They’re using bacteria to generate electricity out of the air itself.
The Geobacter variety of bacteria produces a type of protein ‘nanowire’ that is able to conduct electricity. Scientists took a microscopic layer of these proteins and placed them in an electric circuit. Importantly though, the nanowires are also left exposed to the air.
There’s moisture in the air all around us, even in the driest deserts. When this humidity touches the Geobacter proteins, it creates an electrical charge that can be collected. While similar systems have been created before, this is the first one that works for more than a few seconds at a time. Now scientists are working on producing the protein nanowires more easily, so they can bring easy renewable electricity to the world.
Lachlan Writes Science 