Geobacter energy source

The discovery of the role of microbes in the nitrogen cycle was a huge finding. It allowed scientists to put all their data together and comprise the full picture of how nitrogen is cycled throughout the planet. At the time virtually no scientists had thought that microorganisms could have been capable of such an important role in the ecosystem.
With technological advancements in virtually all aspects of science, the study of microorganisms has become increasingly interesting. Genetic modification techniques have allowed scientists to evolve microbes with specific goals in mind. Uses of such developed organisms have been to clean up oil spills and radioactive run off. It had been observed that the process by which these “geobacter” microbes clean targeted pollution can produce energy. These bacteria can be utilized to clean biomass and other waste and turn it into useable energy.
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have recently evolved a new strain of geobacters that have 800% more energy output than previously developed strains. With more effort and research microorganisms may be the key to sustainable energy and possibly have many more applications.


http://gas2.org/2009/09/01/mud-loving-bacteria-increases-fuel-cell-output-by-800/