Come on, who hasn’t always wanted to say that? And now you can, because an Israeli researcher with a flair for electricity-centered solutions has discovered–wait for it–a bacteria that produces electricity.
Tel Aviv University Professor Avi Kribus, who until now has been best known for his advances in solar energy, discovered a bacteria that generates electricity in the process of photosynthesis.
Through genetic engineering, Kribus has devised a way to harness the electricity generated by this bacteria by hooking up the proteins to electrodes.
While this project is in early stages, here are the possible benefits: not only is this technology green, it’s cheap, especially in comparison with the much-vaunted solar power. Photovoltaic cells are made of silicon, a highly expensive substance. The proteins in this bacteria cost 1% of the cost of silicon. It sounds like the numbers add up.
In the meantime, though, we’d love to get some access to the solar energy alternatives that are currently in development, at least until these fiery little proteins are ready for action.
