This engine uses nothing but water and bacteria to power small devices

washingtonpost.com ^ | Rachel Feltman

[BenLurkin]

In a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications, Columbia University researchers present several devices powered by the shrinking and swelling of bacterial spores in response to changes in humidity. The initial prototypes may look like child's play, but the researchers are convinced that they've only just begun to tap the energy potential of the technology.

...

In the new study, his team has cobbled together devices that create lifting and piston-like motions by harnessing the natural tendency of the spores -- which are commonly produced in great quantities for probiotic supplements -- to expand and contract. The devices contain strips of plastic coated in the spores to make their reaction easier to harness.

The devices already generate enough power to turn on light bulbs, so Sahin thinks that the technology could be used to power lights on devices that sit on the sea -- hydrothermal generators or oil rigs, for example. And he points out that his team cut a lot of corners to produce a prototype that worked, so they could see a big uptick in the energy output pretty quickly. They currently use regular Elmer's glue to adhere the spores to the tape, for example, and that bond can't actually withstand the power that the spores are capable of tugging it with. Switching to a better adhesive could make the machines work more efficiently.

[Grimmy]

“’What’s the end game for these bioenergy theories?’

My guess — “augmentation” of human beings.”

My guess is to spend endless amounts of federal grant monies. Oh, and to use some of that grant money to finally purchase a sporty sports car so the female undergrads will quit treating them like icky nerds.