Power plant on bacteria. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Power plant on bacteria

02.09.2000

A group of biochemists from the University of Michigan (USA) has assembled a fuel cell that runs on bacteria.

Bacteria, like other living cells, decompose glucose and convert the resulting energy into adenosine triphosphate, the universal energy currency of the cell. In the course of this process, a flow of electrons arises, which activates all the systems of the cell.

Biochemists have introduced molecules into the outer membrane of bacteria that divert part of the electron flow to themselves. A fuel cell fueled by a glucose solution generates a voltage of 0,6 volts at a current of up to 17 milliamps. After some improvement, it is supposed to use such batteries in portable communications equipment.

Meanwhile, in one of the universities in Israel, a method is being developed to divert part of the energy from human cells in a similar way. Then it will be possible to feed with its own electricity, for example, an implanted hearing aid or a heart pacemaker.

<< Back: Cancer magnet 03.09.2000

>> Forward: Cigarette with built-in fire extinguisher 01.09.2000

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Empathy and synchronous oscillations of neurons 06.12.2022

Biologists from the South Korean Institute of Basic Sciences have discovered a basic neural mechanism that allows you to feel empathy. A study in mice showed that synchronous neural oscillations in the right hemisphere of the brain help the animals perceive and share each other's fear. Scientists believe that people have similar reactions.

Empathy is not unique to humans; many mammals exhibit similar behavior. A classic experiment in which empathy is shown in animals is called "fear of the observer." During the experiment, one of the mice is subjected to electric shocks, the second - watching this through a transparent screen. Previous studies have shown that the observer shares a sense of fear with the victim. This is manifested in the fading of the animal in place.

In the new work, the researchers combined this classic experiment with optogenetic studies. The study showed that when the "observer" experiences fear, synchronized rhythms with a frequency of 5-7 Hz occur in the anterior cingulate cortex and basolateral amygdala. At the same time, in the "victim" an increase is observed only in the lower range of 3-5 Hz and only in the basolateral amygdala.

To confirm the link between rhythm synchronization and empathy, the researchers disrupted the synchronization between two brain regions in the right hemisphere of the "observer" mouse. This led to a significant reduction in the fading effect that characterizes fear. Similar communication disorders in the left hemisphere did not affect the behavior of the animal.

Given the universality of observed fear in mammals, it is reasonable to speculate that a similar neural signature critical for affective empathy could be found in humans and could be used to detect empathy dysfunction in people with psychiatric disorders, including severe social deficits.

Empathy is the ability to perceive and understand the emotions of another person, such as joy, sadness or fear. This is a fundamental function of human social life, and its disruption is seen in countless psychiatric and neurological disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. Until now, the exact mechanisms in the brain that underlie empathy have not been identified.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews