Virus Could Be Source of Electricity

California - Scientists in Berkeley, California found a new way of generating electricity. With a technique they developed, the virus can be converted to electricity producers.

This breakthrough means that one day we can recharge devices like mobile phones, for example, paper-thin with a generator that produces electricity.

This generator with electrodes in it has a film layer of the engineered virus. However, scientists recognized that developing these methods, their discovery is still an early stage and needs further development.

"Still need more research. However, the results of our work promising first step toward the development of personal electricity producing generator," said Seung-Wuk Lee of the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab United States (U.S.) represent his team.

Using genetic engineering techniques, the scientists added four negatively charged molecules at one end of a tangible tool protesin the virus coat.

Excerpted from My Fox on Thursday (5/16/2012), this generator works by utilizing the piezoelectric properties of bacteria called M13, a virus that only attacks bacteria and tame toward humans.

Piezoelectric can convert mechanical energy into electricity. Piezoelectricity itself is electricity generated from the accumulation of stress, such as the cigarette lighter to light a cigarette.

"Because the biotechnology enables the production of large-scale-modified virus, virus-based piezoelectri materis can offer the convenience of microelectronic future," said Lee

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