Scientists Are Using ¡°Bionic Mushrooms¡± To Generate Free, Green Energy

Electricity prices have been soaring over the years, and we've reached a point where we are spending a fairly large chunk of money just for running a microwave, TV, ord air conditioner. But, what if you could make your own electricity?

Images courtesy: Stevens Institute of Technology

That's what researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology have just done, creating "bionic mushrooms" capable of generating electricity on their own. They did this by adding 3D-printed materials to the surface of white button mushrooms.

The scientists used a robotic arm to 3D-print electricity-generating cyanobacteria clusters onto the mushrooms as bio ink. They then printed the mushrooms with electronic ink,composed of graphene nanoribbon swirls, which would collect the current.

"In this case, our system - this bionic mushroom - produces electricity," said Manu Mannoor, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the institute. "By integrating cyanobacteria that can produce electricity, with nanoscale materials capable of collecting the current, we were able to better access the unique properties of both, augment them, and create an entirely new functional bionic system."

Here, the cyanobacteria acts as the electrical generator, but the mushrooms provide the perfect environment for them to survive and flourish. They have just the right mix of nutrients, moisture, pH balance, and suitable temperature for the cyanobacteria to function over long periods of time.

The cyanobacteria (green) viewed under a microscope

In fact, their tests showed the mushrooms are the reason the bacteria was able to last much longer than if it were placed on the surface of silicone or a dead mushroom. When a light was shone on the mushrooms, the bacteria generated electricity, and the electrons were transferred over to the graphene ribbons wherever the spirals met, providing a photocurrent.

"With this work, we can imagine enormous opportunities for next-generation bio-hybrid applications," Mannoor said. "For example, some bacteria can glow, while others sense toxins or produce fuel. By seamlessly integrating these microbes with nanomaterials, we could potentially realise many other amazing designer bio-hybrids for the environment, defense, healthcare and many other fields."