Bacteria could become the fuel cell source of the future for tiny robots and spy drones. Strains of bacteria like Shewanella oneidensis release electrons as waste product. Hybrid fuel cells where one bacteria feeds of the waste of another to produce fuel are also a feasibility. There are many US government funded research projects now taking place at universities such as Standford and Southern Carolina. One of the key factors behind such research is a desire by the US Defense Department to put more robots in the field to transport equipment, conduct battle operations, and serve as reconnaissance vehicles. Conceivably, a small robot powered by a bacteria fuel cell could shuttle a camera or listening device unobtrusively next to someone. Could bacteria signal the end of the sealed lead acid battery - the primary power source for uninterruptible power supplies ? Click here for more the full article.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 30th, 2006 at 9:18 am and is filed under Alternative Energy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.