Motor Powered by Bacteria
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 10.14.06
Scientists in Japan have invented the first motor to be powered by bacteria. The micro-motor relies on bacteria gliding along a silicon track to spin a silicon dioxide rotor. Moving at speeds of up to 5 micrometers per second, the bacteria can power the 20 micrometer diameter rotors at rates of up to 2.6 rpm. The work, led by Yuichi Hiratsuka, used bacteria of the species Mycoplasma mobile. However, they point out that many species of bacteria are mobile, moving towards light or to certain chemical attractants, creating a wide range of potential power sources for micro-pumps or micro-robots, or might be used in the construction of electrical generating systems which could convert abundant energy sources like glucose into electrical energy.
The motor relies on a circular tracking system accessed by a door at the edge of the basin where the bacteria are contained, which directs most of the bacteria onto a similar path. The scientists suggest that improvements in optimizing the movement of the bacteria could further improve the efficiency of the system.
Via ::Physorg
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HAHA! Forget hydrogen, biofuels and hybrid cars: let's power our cars by getting a cold and sneezing into our fueltanks.
Seriously, it sounds a bit like a treadmill, with bacteria in stead of hamsters. The minute scale makes it unlikely that there will ever be any of practical use, right?
Small, yes, but every molecule of H2O is even smaller, and we use that to power turbines.