Scientists have created a bionic mushroom that generates electricity

Despite everything, scientists continue their research in various directions. For example, American scientists conducted an extremely curious experiment and transformed an ordinary champignon into an electric current generator, and how they did it, I'll tell you now.

This amazing experiment was performed at Stevens Institute of Technology. Engineers have 3D printed cyanobacteria producing cyanobacteria with champignon.

At the same time, in order to collect the generated electricity, electrodes made of graphene nanoribbons were used.

The scientists published the results of their work on the Nano Letters portal.

So Manu Mannur (co-author of the study) explained that they managed to combine cyanobacteria (which capable of generating electricity under normal conditions) with nanoscale elements collecting current. And thus they created a unique bionic system.

What scientists have done

The purpose of the experiment was to find out whether it would be possible to implement control over the production and collection electricity from bacteria, as well as establish how long such a system will last and how to make it as much as possible effective.

The most common mushroom, champignon, was chosen as a food source for bacteria.

So it was found that cyanobacteria on the surface of the fungus successfully lived for a couple of days.

Also, during the experiment, it was found that the mushroom became an excellent food for bacteria, and this allowed generate much more electricity than bacteria would generate if cultured on silicon substrate.

But generation by generation, and how to collect the current?

Scientists have found this way: using a 3D printer with an electronic hand, graphene nanoribbons were printed, which were then successfully transferred to the mushroom itself.

These ribbons began to play the role of nanoprobes, with the help of which it was possible to gain access to bioelectrons.

In addition, a spiral pattern made of bio-ink with cyanobacteria was also applied to the mushroom head. Thus, the created intersections allowed electrons to move from bacteria to nanoribbons.

Conclusion

This experiment, unique of its kind, could revolutionize the world of energy, but so far the generated current is negligible. But scientists are full of enthusiasm and are actively experimenting in the hope of obtaining significantly more current with the help of a bionic mushroom.

If you liked the material, then put your thumbs up and comment!

Thank you for reading to the end.