Developing a Clean, New Energy Source Using Microorganisms

Study Rationale:

Society faces a potential energy crisis due to the world's exponentially growing population and its demand for energy. Increased globalized reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy poses significant environmental sustainability challenges and threatens economic stability. The combustion of fossil fuels has also been implicated in numerous health problems including, cancer and bronchitis. Governments have recruited the scientific community to develop new, alternative clean energy sources. One of the most promising procedures includes harvesting the photosynthetic energy of microorganisms.

Study Impact and Next Steps:

Recent research determines that the amount of solar energy that strikes Earth every hour (~4.3 x 10^20 Joules) is approximately equal to the amount of energy consumed by the planet every year (~4.1 × 10^20 Joules). By capturing a fraction of this energy, we could address a significant amount of global energy needs. The metabolic capabilities of photosynthetic microorganisms could potentially be used to power solar-powered microbial fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells transform the energy stored in chemical bonds in bacteria into electrical currents. Essentially, we are harnessing the power of metabolism for electricity.

Although an environmentally sustainable and economically stable future is ideal, it can only be achieved if research efforts continue. Because of their abundance and pre-existing abilities, microorganisms are promising in replacing fossil fuels and meeting humanity's demand for power.