Cool Science Experiments Using Viruses

Researchers at MIT have created the world's first batteries constructed from microscopic viruses.

Viruses are genetically engineered to attract specific anode and cathode materials, molecules like cobalt oxide from a solution, which form wires packed together to create electrodes smaller than a human cell.

Batteries consist of two opposing electrodes, anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte.

"Once you do the genetic engineering with the viruses themselves, you pour in the solution and they grow the right combination of these materials on them," says professor Angela Belcher.

The team is working on practical applications for these cool science experiments, which include fiber configurations, smaller than a human cell, spun like silk and integrated into textiles providing a wearable power source.

Nano-films could also be printed or laminated to electronic devices for the same purpose.

The research is being funded by the Army Research Office Institute of Collaborative Biotechnologies, the Army Research Office Institute of Soldier Nanotechnologies, and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation.

Source: web.mit.edu/mitei/research/spotlights/cell-batteries.html

Cool Science Experiments Using Microbes

The dependence on hydrocarbon fuels supports a large infrastructure and distribution network. So scientists are looking for new sources of petroleum using bugs - tiny microbes that are genetically engineered to excrete bio-fuels.

Sugar cane, is fed to E.coli to produce bio-diesel fuel. The microbes metabolize the material and excrete fatty acids that are the same as petroleum.

In fact, the properties are no different from those of gasoline, diesel or jet fuel and genetic control can create the appropriate petroleum product.

The problem with alternative fuels like ethanol, according to University of Minnesota economist Jason Hill, is it can't be transported through current pipelines and even if all the corn grown in the United States was used for producing ethanol - it would only represent 12 percent of consumption.

Alternatively, a sugar cane crop could be converted to hydrocarbon fuel using microbes. The new crop would then absorb the resulting carbon emissions created by the fuel. This would create a hypothetical carbon-neutral gasoline.

Bio-fuel companies are securing sugar cane production from plantations in the United States and abroad in anticipation of creating these new petroleum products.

But scientists may have found a better solution for producing bio-fuel in the rainforests of South America.

A fungus known as "gliocladium roseum" produces bio-fuel from cellulose waste like sawdust and woodchips.

According to researcher Gary Strobel of Montana University, the fungus is more efficient and is a better source of bio-fuel than anything currently available, particularly since it could be used to consume 400 million tons of plant waste produced every year from farmland.

Sources: www.ls9.com www.amyrisbiotech.com www.plantsciences.montana.edu