A strain of bacteria that produces electricity

A strain of bacteria that produces electricity

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Scientists have engineered a strain of bacteria that produces electricity while growing on carbon dioxide (CO2) as its only source of carbon and hydrogen gas (H2) as its source of electrons.

The researchers in Massachusetts worked with the soil bacterium Geobacter metallireducens, first isolated in 1987 from the sediment of the Potomac River in the United States. The strain is interesting because of its high bioenergy potential: it can produce electrons and carry them long distances outside the cell, using electrically conductive extensions known as microbial nanowires.

Using bacteria derived from the original strain, the scientists were able to deliver power to a gold or iron electrode, without using any organic material at all.

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