Bacteria, Graphene and Nanotech Produce Usable Electricity From Wastewater

Bacteria, Graphene and Nanotech Produce Usable Electricity From Wastewater
Check out the kitchen timer counting down in the gif. There’s nothing special about it except for how it is being powered. The instrument isn’t equipped with batteries. In fact, its electricity comes from the vial behind it, where bacteria are eating organic matter in wastewater and producing electricity as a result. 

It’s the first time that researchers have produced enough electricity for practical use from what are called microbial fuel cells. Scientists in China reported their breakthrough late last week in the journal Science Advances. Their work could one day help provide the huge amounts of power needed to treat wastewater, a process that currently consumes up to 5 percent of all the electricity produced in the U.S.

Article:
http://txchnologist.com/post/133351599065/bacteria-graphene-and-nanotech-produce-usable

Paper:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/283789140_Three-dimensional_graphenePt_nanoparticle_composites_as_freestanding_anode_for_enhancing_performance_of_microbial_fuel_cells

#nanotechnology #science   #research   #microbiology