Posted on 06/17/2015 12:19:12 PM PDT by BenLurkin
In a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications, Columbia University researchers present several devices powered by the shrinking and swelling of bacterial spores in response to changes in humidity. The initial prototypes may look like child's play, but the researchers are convinced that they've only just begun to tap the energy potential of the technology.
...
In the new study, his team has cobbled together devices that create lifting and piston-like motions by harnessing the natural tendency of the spores -- which are commonly produced in great quantities for probiotic supplements -- to expand and contract. The devices contain strips of plastic coated in the spores to make their reaction easier to harness.
The devices already generate enough power to turn on light bulbs, so Sahin thinks that the technology could be used to power lights on devices that sit on the sea -- hydrothermal generators or oil rigs, for example. And he points out that his team cut a lot of corners to produce a prototype that worked, so they could see a big uptick in the energy output pretty quickly. They currently use regular Elmer's glue to adhere the spores to the tape, for example, and that bond can't actually withstand the power that the spores are capable of tugging it with. Switching to a better adhesive could make the machines work more efficiently.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Someone is going to start championing bacteria rights if we start enslaving them.
That’s pasta, right?
I can envision how it works—but how big a pot of spores is it going to take to power up a home or a car, much less a city.
Another bioenegry invention is using algae as fuel as it grows fast—but how many huge algae filled artificial ponds will it take to produce meaningful amounts of energy.
So far the scientists are having a hard time getting solar energy to a profitable energy source and they don’t have to have massive containers as the source is all around us.
What’s the end game for these bioenergy theories?
Interesting.
I dub it an “accordion motor”.
CC
That’s using the old noodle!
I’m all for bacteria rights.
I use fermented apple cider vinegar for a lot of things, including shrinking ugly skin growths caused by too many years in the sun. I can almost hear those happy little bacteria getting to work on my skin.
My dermatologist approves, tho we both know there are limits to bacteria power and I’m scheduled for removal of a few basal cell carcinomas next week.
Let me know when they’re powering an automobile with it.
This won’t work in the summer time in Virginia because the bacteria would be perpetually “Humid”.
Best of luck with that. I had it done back in February (Mohs procedure) and it was a lot easier than I expected; in at 8:30am, home before lunchtime, healed within a few weeks.
” They currently use regular Elmer’s glue “
I have some Gorilla super-glue gel ...
In the new study, his team has cobbled together devices that create lifting and piston-like motions by harnessing the natural tendency of the spores -- which are commonly produced in great quantities for probiotic supplements -- to expand and contract. The devices contain strips of plastic coated in the spores to make their reaction easier to harness. The devices already generate enough power to turn on light bulbs, so Sahin thinks that the technology could be used to power lights on devices that sit on the sea -- hydrothermal generators or oil rigs, for example.
The "devices", as the article calls them, perform a mechanical function (expand and contract) hence the application where they function as the switch to "turn on" a light bulb. They do not generate the power that lights the bulb, they simply force open or closed an exterior mechanical circuit that itself carries the power to the light bulb.
It's a big jump saying that a light switch could be turned into a hydrothermal generator.
The sun and the oceans are vast sources of energy which can be put to use by humans.
For instance, there is a thermal gradient (differential), between cold deep water, and warmer shallow water.
Sunlight can be precisely focused with mirrors, to capture maximum energy.
The biggest opportunity is battery technology, to store energy.
Let my bacteria go!
My guess -- "augmentation" of human beings.
I think it is interesting, but no way its going to replace the internal gas combustion engine.
Many thanks for your good wishes. Dermo says one on my nose is large enough that I may require a diamond to fi ll it. Never thought of myself as a nose ring kinda girl, but I could live with it….if my skin looked like hers (been decades):
http://www.tattooeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/closeup-aishwarya-rai-nose-piercing.jpg
Hey lets make a Barometer Engine powered by changes in atmospheric pressure....
Oops I just blew my chance for a patent.
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