Bacteria-based fuel cells for tiny robots

Unless you're looking at some sort of cyborg solution, one of the biggest problem with tiny spy robots and other such entities is a reliable source of power. Some researchers at Rice University and the University of Southern California are looking to solve that with a new kind of fuel cell based on electron spitting bacteria. Apparently the bacteria can eat at about any material -- the target is waste water -- and spit electrons which the researchers hope to harvest and use to power the tiny bots. Luckily the Department of Defense is behind this to the tune of $4.4 million, so hopefully after they manage to churn out all the espionage needed for the decade, we might get some spillover to consumer devices.

[BigG @ Mar 16th 2006 1:33PM]

What the heck is that in the picture?

[David C @ Mar 16th 2006 1:39PM]

ahhh... rice burning robot from Rice University.

[Vance @ Mar 16th 2006 1:39PM]

Why is that helicopter landing on Strongbad's head?

[Jon Acheson @ Mar 16th 2006 2:44PM]

It would be nice if this panned out, since it could also be used to generate larger amounts of power for things that aren't mini-sized.

[Nick @ Mar 16th 2006 4:24PM]

expect jobs to jump on this.

"G6 ipod fits in your pores, and uses your sweat for fuel!"

[Paul @ Mar 16th 2006 6:58PM]

So, finally we have found a lifeform that can truely eat thunder and crap lightning!