Bacteria can be used to create a sustainable source of energy
There are a few options to do
this. However, almost none of the species of bacteria can be used to
extract energy profitably.
The most promissing technigue for extracting energy is:
hydrogen. Hydrogen is a product of some bacteria, for example the E. Coli
bacterium. This bacterium is normally found in the colon.
Hydrogen is very often called the answer to the energy question.
The E. Coli bacterium cannot be used for extracting hydrogen in their normal state, but professors in America found a way to multiply their production of hydrogen by 141. It’s still not enough, but the possibilities to make them useful are endless. There are many other bacteria which we can use to create hydrogen or just energy in particular.
Another way to extract energy from bacteria is by using devices called microbial fuel cells (MFC). Microbes in these cells can break down organic substances to create electrons and so a small amount of energy.
Hydrogen is very often called the answer to the energy question.
The E. Coli bacterium cannot be used for extracting hydrogen in their normal state, but professors in America found a way to multiply their production of hydrogen by 141. It’s still not enough, but the possibilities to make them useful are endless. There are many other bacteria which we can use to create hydrogen or just energy in particular.
Another way to extract energy from bacteria is by using devices called microbial fuel cells (MFC). Microbes in these cells can break down organic substances to create electrons and so a small amount of energy.
An MFC is made up of two electrodes –
an anode and a cathode – linked by an electrical connection. Bacteria breathe
out electrons, produced as part of their normal metabolism, onto the anode.
These electrons can be collected as an electrical
current.The electrons are then passed to the cathode to complete the electrical circuit and create a kind of battery.
Bacteria capable of producing electricity occur naturally in almost any type of mud, sewage or waste. The bacteria usually use this process to breathe without oxygen.
Turning this natural process into a functioning MFC is as simple as filling the MFC with mud, sewage or waste and waiting for the bacteria to grow.
This way of extracting energy is new and as every new thing it isn’t optimal. But there are many ways to improve this mechanism. In the future it will be used and must be used more and efficiently. And above all, it uses polluted water to create energy and clean water.
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080129170709.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Algae-Home-CO2-Scrubber-Part-1/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Algae-Home-CO2-Scrubber-Part-1/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Algae-Home-CO2-Scrubber-Part-II-Culturing/?ALLSTEPS
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