BioElectricity

Index of biological systems that use electrical phenomenon that might be either tapped or mimicked.

Overviews

Copying nature could save us energy, study shows - New technologies that mimic the way insects, plants and animals overcome engineering problems could help reduce our dependence on energy. Presently, there is only a 12 per cent similarity in the way biology and technology solves the problems they encounter. (PhysOrg; May 9, 2006)

Technologies

Eel-ectric Christmas Tree - Aquarium workers in Japan installed a conductive copper wire in an eel's tank, then ran the wire to a pine tree festooned with colored Christmas lights. Every time the eel brushes against the wire, a surge of electric power zaps the ornaments to life! (Inventor's Spot; Dec. 4, 2007)

Kidney Cells Make Implantable Power Source - New Scientist presents a round-up of patents related to green power technology, including an implantable power source made from stacks of kidney cells that could drive implanted devices like pacemakers, a chemical way to purifying hydrogen, and an organism that turns grass cuttings into ethanol. (New Scientist; Dec. 10, 2007) (See Slashdot)

Waste Water Plus Bacteria Make Hydrogen Fuel - Bacteria that feed on vinegar and waste water zapped with a shot of electricity could produce a clean hydrogen fuel to power vehicles that now run on petroleum. These microbial fuel cells can turn almost any biodegradable organic material into zero-emission hydrogen gas fuel. (PESWiki; Nov. 12, 2007)

Virus-Built Electronics - A new way to fabricate nanomaterials from harmless viruses as building blocks could mean batteries and solar cells woven into clothing. The programmed viruses coat themselves with the materials and then, by aligning with other viruses, assemble into crystalline structures useful for making high-performance devices. (MIT Technology Review; Oct. 23, 2007)

From Leftovers to Energy - UC Davis researchers are developing a strain of microbes that convert heavier waste such as food scraps or yard waste into biogas -- mostly methane and hydrogen -- that can be burned to generate electricity or compressed into liquid to power specialized vehicles. (MIT Technology Review; June 18, 2007)

Designer bug holds key to endless fuel - The US scientist who cracked the human genome is poised to create the world's first man-made species, a synthetic microbe that could lead to an endless supply of hydrogen and biofuel as well as absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases. (The Age; June 10, 2007)
Scientists to develop bacteria-powered fuel cells - Researchers are joining forces to create bacteria-powered fuel cells that could power spy drones that fit in the palm of a hand. Organism is capable of passing electrons directly to solid metal oxides. (PhysOrg; Mar. 15, 2006)
Microbial Fuel Cells Produce Power by Cleaning Domestic Wastewater - boosts output six times while reducing costs by two thirds. (WorldChanghing.com; June 23, 2004)
Microbial fuel cell: high yield hydrogen source and wastewater cleaner - Using a new electrically-assisted microbial fuel cell (MFC) that does not require oxygen, Penn State environmental engineers and a scientist at Ion Power Inc. have developed the first process that enables bacteria to coax four times as much hydrogen directly out of biomass than can be generated typically by fermentation alone. (PhysOrg; April 22, 2005) (EngineerLive; June 26, 2006)
Pollution-Eating Bacteria Produce Electricity - "These bacteria can convert a large number of different food sources into electricity. The technology could be used to assist in the reclamation of wastewaters, thereby resulting in the removal of waste and generation of electricity." (PhysOrg; June 7, 2005)
Cows show promise as power plants - A new study suggests that some of the microorganisms found in cow waste may provide a reliable source of electricity. (PhysOrg; Aug. 31, 2005)

Sweet success for pioneering hydrogen energy project - Bioscientists at the University of Birmingham have demonstrated a bacteria that give off hydrogen gas as they consume high-sugar waste produced by the confectionery industry. (Innovations Report; May 24, 2006)

Green Algae Can Produce Hydrogen - Scientists are pursuing means of capitalizing on the fact that algae emits hydrogen when deprived of sulfur. (Renewable Energy Access; Oct. 6, 2005)

Bioelectricity > Bacteria as Engine for Fuel Cells? - Some bacteria produce electrons in their metabolism of nutrients from what we would consider waste, such as sewage. Practical applications are yet a long ways off. (MIT Technology Review; May 24, 2006) (See Slashdot discussion.)

Microbes found to produce miniature electrical wires - Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered a tiny biological structure that is highly electrically conductive. This breakthrough helps describe how microorganisms can clean up groundwater and produce electricity from renewable resources. It may also have applications in the emerging field of nanotechnology. (EurekAlert; June 23, 2005)
Researchers find evidence of photosynthesis deep within the ocean - Green sulfur bacteria discovered living near hydrothermal vents nearly 2,400 meters (7,875 feet) deep in the ocean, deriving life from the dim light coming from hydrothermal vents. (PhysOrg; June 22)
Real-Time Methane Generation in Retired Oil Fields - Naturally-occurring bacteriological process may provide opportunity to convert finite oil resource to long-term generation of natural gas. Luca Technologies scientists provide proof of present-day conversion of oil to gas. (PESN; April 29, 2005)
Grape Offers Biofuel Potential - Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have managed to produce electricity inside a single grape -- perhaps the smallest membrane-less fuel cell ever. The technology could lead energy devices that could be implanted in the human body. (Fuel Cell Today; Sept. 27, 2005)

Powerful Batteries That Assemble Themselves - MIT researchers are developing low-cost manufacturing methods based on the rapid reproduction of viruses. Designer viruses coat themselves with inorganic materials, which are doped at regular intervals with gold to enhance their conductivity. Then the coated viruses line up on top of a polymer sheet that serves as the electrolyte. (MIT Technology Review; Sept. 28, 2006)

Power Up with Magnetic Bacteria - 16-year old Canadian student, Kartik Madiraju, has devised a method for harnessing electricity from the spinning motion of magnetic bacteria. Practical applications are yet a long way off. (Wired; May 12, 2006)

Related Directories

Mimicking Phytosynthesis - Supramolecular complexes created by Karen Brewer of Virginia Tech can convert solar energy into a fuel, such as hydrogen gas in a process has been called artificial photosynthesis.

BioElectricity

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