Producing 'Electric Current' From Bacteria

Barrière, a chemistry researcher with France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has demonstrated the use of symbiosis of small plants and bacteria to produce electricity. He proved this by illuminating a LED through the device powered by above bacteria. The scientist explains that the microorganisms actually breathe the metal of the electrode (rather than oxygen into air) and hence electrons are circulated in the battery and electric current is produced. He also revealed that the technique is not powerful enough to drive car batteries but is still usefull in many areas.

“Classic” fuel cell batteries operate with electrodes that are immersed in hydrogen and oxygen. They rely on expensive catalysts, like platinum, to initiate chemical reactions on the electrodes’ surfaces. Barrière’s “organic” version uses live material – bacteria – as the catalyst. Unlike platinum, bacteria are abundant – and cheap", reports WorldCrunch