Researches recently discovered that an electrical charge could be conducted across the biofilm of specialized bacteria.
A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered this property in the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, a bacterium found below the surface that reduces metals. More specifically, the conductive property was found in the microbial nanowires produced by the bacterium.
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| A picture of a Geobacter bacterium and its nanowire network (Credit: Anna Klimes and Ernie Carbone) |
The nanowires allow for electrons to travel long distances, and furthermore, these charges move as efficiently as synthetic organic metallic nanostructures. This discovery could possibly revolutionize the field of bio-electronics, in addition with the possibility of many real world applications.
Scientists believe that the properties of this biofilm can be further controlled and manipulated by regulating the gene that controls this function. This will ultimately create a new strain, in the hopes of producing new eco-friendly and less expensive materials.
Lead microbiologist Derek Lovely retorted, "We're basically making electronics out of vinegar. It can't get much cheaper or more 'green' than that."
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