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Scientists Have Discovered A Bacteria Species Thats Feeds Upon Electricity-2

Scientists Have Discovered A Bacteria Species Thats Feeds Upon Electricity

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Some bacteria have the ability to generate energy from mineral sources such as sulfur and minerals. However, a team of Harvard scientists has discovered a new bacterial species that can acquire energy from electricity. We tell you more about this study. 

Rhodopseudomonas palustris, is the name given to a bacteria of the type Gram-negative. It appears to have pink colour under the microscope. This bacteria has a remarkable flexibility: it is able to adapt to different metabolisms. This versatility has attracted the interest of many researchers including those in the team of Peter Girgius at Harvard.

Scientists Have Discovered A Bacteria Species Thats Feeds Upon Electricity-3

Scientists Have Discovered A Bacteria Species Thats Feeds Upon Electricity-1

Many researches have shown that this bacteria draws uses natural conductivity to withdraw electrons from the minerals in the soil and in the residues. While at the same time the bacteria stays at the surface  to absorb the solar light and extract energy from it. This process, called “extracellular electron transfer”, allows the bacteria to make electricity and incorporate it into its metabolism.

Some believe this unusual bacteria could be used to develop a functional battery, although Peter Girgius is not sure if they can serve as real source of fuel. However, there is a good chance that the latter may be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Scientists Have Discovered A Bacteria Species Thats Feeds Upon Electricity-

We are impressed by this discovery and we welcome research of Peter. It is amazing to think that this species of bacteria may be able to do that. And you, did you think that bacteria could be full of many specificities?