"Electric Mud" Can Be Used to Power Smartphone and Reduce Pollution, Scientists Says

Electric microbes can power smartphones, reduce pollution, and the impacts of climate change, and scientists continue to find practical applications of this great discovery that started from the mystery of the missing hydrogen sulfide.

According to Science Mag, Aarhus University microbiologist Lars Peter Nielsen gathered stinky, black mud from the bottom of Aarhus Harbor in Denmark in 2009. He kept it in big glass beakers for 30 days with custom microsensors. The mud was initially filled with hydrogen sulfide, but the microsensors later showed the compound was all gone while the mud became paler.

"This didn't make sense at all," said Nielsen, who works at Aarhus University. However, the microbiologist gathered additional data and offered some explanations for his unique findings.

Power smartphone and other devices

If nanowires are developed as films, they can generate electricity using the moisture in the air. Researchers claimed that film generates power when a moisture gradient develops between the film's upper and lower borders. Charge develops and electrons flow as the water's hydrogen and oxygen atoms separate due to the gradient. A Nature report claimed that a film can produce power that can light a light-emitting diode while 17 such devices connected can power a cellphone.

Tsinghua University materials scientist Qu Liangti claimed that this is "a revolutionary technology" that would produce "renewable, green, and cheap energy."

Produce new technologies

Electric bacteria can be genetically modified to alter their nanowires to create the basis of wearable sensitive sensors. University of Massachusetts microbiologist Derek Lovley proposed designing of nanowires and tailoring them to bind compounds uniquely. Lovley explained that a recent Nano Research article discussed a nanowire sensor that detects ammonia, which would be relevant for biomedical, industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications.

For pollution control

Cable bacteria thrive in organic compounds like petroleum, so Nielsen's team is testing the possibility that finding loads of cable bacteria indicates the presence of aquifer pollution. While these microbes do not directly degrade the oil, they may oxidize the sulfide produced by other bacteria as well as aid cleanup.

Battling climate change

Lab tests showed that cable bacteria can significantly reduce methane levels caused by rice cultivation. This was done by breaking down substances that methane-producing bacteria consume. Methane is a major factor that leads to global warming.

These developments are great progress from the simple collection of mud from Aarhus Harbor and the discovery of the mystery behind the missing hydrogen sulfide.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by CJ Robles