Bacteria to convert waste into power

Scientists have claimed that bacteria which generate significant amounts of electricity can be used in microbial fuel cells to convert waste into power as well as provide electricity in remote environments.

A team, led by Prof Derek Lovley from the University of Massachusetts, isolated bacteria with large numbers of tiny projections, called pili, which were efficient at transferring electrons to generate power in fuel cells than bacteria with a smooth surface.

In their experiment, the scientists isolated a strain of Geobacter sulfurreducens which they called KN400 that grew prolifically on the graphite anodes of fuel cells.

The bacteria formed a thick biofilm on the anode surface, which conducted electricity. They found large quantities of pilin, a protein that makes the tiny fibres that conduct electricity through the sticky biofilm.

“The filaments form microscopic projections called pili that act as microbial nanowires using this bacterial strain in a fuel cell to generate electricity would greatly increase the cell’s power output,” Prof Lovley said.

Bureau Report