Scientists discover living power cables made from bacteria
Three years ago, scientists discovered electric currents running through the seabed — but they had no idea what was causing it. But now, researchers from Denmark and the United States believe they have the answer: bacteria that function as living electric cables. In a remarkable case of biological engineering, scientists have confirmed that each tiny section of the bacteria contains a bundle of insulated wires that leads an electric current from one end to the other.
The discovery could lead to an entirely new class of organic electronics — including devices that could be implanted in the human body.
Looking at it more closely, they noticed that the bacteria, which is a hundred times thinner than a human hair, contained nanoscale strings that were enclosed by a membrane. They concluded that the entire organism functions as a virtual electric cable — insulating wires and all. And indeed, the researchers note that the structure is very similar to the electric cables that we use on a daily basis.
The researchers theorize that the adaptation gives the bacterium a distinct advantage over other oceanic microbes. Collectively, when they sit in an undisturbed seabed, they extend tens of thousands of kilometers of cable within a single square meter (10.76 square feet). Their ability to conduct a current allows them to pull in vast amounts of energy that's put out through seabed decomposition. And in fact, a single teaspoon of mud can contain as much of one kilometer of living electric cables.
Looking to the future, the new insight could inspire developments in the nascent field of organic electronics. Assuming that a similar kind of bacteria (or other microorganisms) can be engineered, these biological systems could be used to conduct currents in advanced electronic devices, or even in prosthetic devices for humans.
Check out the entire study in Nature.
Top image: Nils Risgaard-Petersen; Mingdong Dong, Jie Song and Nils Risgaard-Petersen
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August 29, 2015: Today scientists announced that the ocean floor is home to the planet's largest neural network. Extensive testing has revealed the advanced cognitive functions inherent in the design, and efforts are underway to begin communicating with what may be the most intelligent being on the planet.
Next up cold fusion! At the price of freeing a war criminal.
Closer to the Organic Singularity?[scienceprogress.org]
The number of conspiracy theories that fit this discovery boggles the mind. From low frequency comms to drug-smuggling submarines to temperature-gradient energy harvesting by North Korea
Bio-neural gel packs anyone? Is this a sign of possibly more Trek-nology to come?
[en.memory-alpha.org]
[en.memory-alpha.org]
Underwater organism that can provide humans with the ability to upgrade themselves? Why do I have a feeling this is going to turn into Bioshock.
That is just friggin' cool. Not much truly makes me say "Wow" anymore. But this...definately.
That is usually how it start...
"Big things have small beginnings"
Really exciting. Biology is truly bizarre.
It's like real life is Avatar, or Xenocide!
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