Back in 1987, a microbiologist named Derek Lovley, along with his team at University of Massachusetts managed to isolate a strain of bacteria called Geobacter metallireducens or simply ¡®Geobacter¡¯. Found in sedimentary environments, a source for its name ¡®geo¡¯, the bacteria strain was hailed for its ability to transfer electrons through each other. Simply put, a capacity to generate electricity from soil and food waste.
Seems like the same bacteria can generate electricity even from the moisture in the air. Putting it to use, laboratories of electrical engineer Jun Yao and microbiologist Derek Lovley at UMass Amherst have now come up with a device they are calling as ¡°Air-gen¡± A.K.A. an air-powered generator. As the name suggests, the novel invention is able to generate electricity right out of air!
Backing this are electrically conductive protein nanowires produced by the same Geobacter that Dr Lovley first isolated back in 1987. The new device is a result of a 33 year of pursuit of generating electricity using the bacteria strain that even saw its use in microbial fuel cells for environmental restoration, energy harvesting as well as clearing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Air-gen¡¯s role is to connect the protein nanowires to electrodes in a way that generates electric current from water vapour present in the air. ¡°We are literally making electricity out of thin air,¡± Yao mentions. In the process, ¡°the Air-gen generates clean energy 24/7.¡±
The new technology is not just a clean source of energy. It is renewable and as per the scientists, is a low cost solution for energy generation.
A big plus of ¡®Air-gen¡¯, over the existing renewable energy generation sources nonetheless, is that it is able to generate electricity indoors. The novel device does not require a lot of humidity to work and can even operate in areas with extremely low humidity like the Sahara Desert.
Not requiring wind, sun or any other source to harness energy from, the only necessity for the Air-gen is a thin film of protein nanowires less than 10 microns thick. At both the ends of the film are electrodes differing in size.
As the thin film absorbs water vapour from the surroundings, an electric current is generated between the two electrodes. This happens due to a ¡°combination of the electrical conductivity and surface chemistry of the protein nanowires¡± coupled with the fine pored nanowires within the film.
While the experiment is restricted to a small scale as of now, the team now plans to enable the technology in a large-scale system for powering electrical equipment. First in line is a small Air-gen patch to power wearables like smart watches and fitness bands. Further practical models would also focus on charging smartphones through the Air-gen.
Yao mentions interesting use-cases for the technology, ¡°the technology might be incorporated into wall paint that could help power your home. Or, we may develop stand-alone air-powered generators that supply electricity off the grid.¡±
He is optimistic that such protein-based energy sources will be on a wide-scale use going forward. ¡°This is just the beginning of a new era of protein-based electronic devices¡± said Yao.