Scientists from MIT have discovered a new type of battery made by genetically engineered viruses, which make both the positive and negative ends of lithium ion batteries. These batteries have the same power as most of the new batteries on the market at the moment and if perfected would be a major breakthrough more environmentally friendly power.
The battery works by using the common bacteria called bacteriophage (that can infect bacteria but not humans) these bacteria have been genetically modified to coat themselves with iron phosphate and grab hold of carbon nano tubes which are all connected to each other which in turn creates a highly conductive material.
The whole process is relatively easy. The process needs the environment to be below room temperature and also requires no harmful organic solvents. The materials used in the battery are also non-toxic. For the amount of power the battery can put out it is relatively light.
This is a very interesting topic as genetic engineering is really starting to take off in the world at the moment with new information being found all the time and to think that we can use viruses to specifically do what we want them to is incredible seeing as some viruses in the past have killed millions of people it’s incredible. The research is nowhere near perfected however it shows great potential as a new type of battery which could be a major factor in electric powered cars
The battery works by using the common bacteria called bacteriophage (that can infect bacteria but not humans) these bacteria have been genetically modified to coat themselves with iron phosphate and grab hold of carbon nano tubes which are all connected to each other which in turn creates a highly conductive material.
The whole process is relatively easy. The process needs the environment to be below room temperature and also requires no harmful organic solvents. The materials used in the battery are also non-toxic. For the amount of power the battery can put out it is relatively light.
This is a very interesting topic as genetic engineering is really starting to take off in the world at the moment with new information being found all the time and to think that we can use viruses to specifically do what we want them to is incredible seeing as some viruses in the past have killed millions of people it’s incredible. The research is nowhere near perfected however it shows great potential as a new type of battery which could be a major factor in electric powered cars
Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402143501.htm%20viewed%20on%205/4/09
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=25133 viewed on 5/4/09
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1171541v1 viewed on 5/4/09
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/sciencenow;2009/403/1 viewed on 5/4/09
written by cameron cotterell
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