Electric Bacteria Connect To Form Wires

[DeSwiss]

New Scientist * Published on Jul 16, 2014

Full story: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25894
Some bacteria produce hair-like filaments that act as wires, ferrying electrons back and forth between the cells and their environment

Biologists discover electric bacteria that eat pure electrons rather than sugar, redefining the tenacity of life

By Sebastian Anthony on July 18, 2014 at 8:51 am



Some intrepid biologists at the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered bacteria that survives on nothing but electricity — rather than food, they eat and excrete pure electrons. These bacteria yet again prove the almost miraculous tenacity of life — but, from a technology standpoint, they might also prove to be useful in enabling the creation of self-powered nanoscale devices that clean up pollution. Some of these bacteria also have the curious ability to form into ‘biocables,’ microbial nanowires that are centimeters long and conduct electricity as well as copper wires — a capability that might one day be tapped to build long, self-assembling subsurface networks for human use.

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- Now, all some enterprising bacteria needs to do, is invent the nano-electric-meter and they can start themselves a bacteria Capitalist society just like we have.

Of course it'd be gone in a few nanoseconds.....

[Uncle Joe]

1. Fascinating.

Thanks for the thread, DeSwiss.

[DeSwiss]

4. De nada.

[Petrushka]

2. Thank you for the link!

K & R

[DeSwiss]

5. De nada.

[bravenak]

3. You are so funny.

Great article.

[Duppers]

6. wow! nt.

(Passing this on.)

[glowing]

7. Love science.. It's the coolest possibilties....

[greiner3]

8. "Of course it'd be gone in a few nanoseconds....."

Or 're-evolving' every 20 minutes, the time a 'generation' of bacteria doubles via binary fusion.

[NealK]

9. Awesome discovery!