Scientists Use Viruses to Build High-Energy Batteries

Apr 07, 2006
Scientists Build High-Energy Batteries Using Viruses
APR 07, 2006 07:27:54 AM

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the
United States have figured out a way to use viruses to build ultrathin
lithium-ion batteries that pack three times the normal energy level for
their weight and size, they said this week.

By manipulating genes inside the viruses, the scientists coaxed them
into coating themselves with cobalt oxide molecules and gold particles
and then lining themselves up to form tiny wires that serve as the
anode electrode in a battery.

The eight-person team, led by MIT professors Angela Belcher, Paula
Hammond and Yet-Ming Chiang, describe their work in this week's issue
of the journal Science.

Among other applications, the work could contribute to the development
of more useful car batteries, which today are too heavy and weak to
compete effectively with petrol, the scientists said.

Each wire measures six nanometers, or six billionths of a meter, in
diameter and 880 nanometers in length. Once the genes have been
altered, the viruses can be cloned millions of times to form batteries
as small as a grain of rice or as large as a hearing-aid battery, the
team said.

The nanowires can be made at room temperature and pressure, meaning
expensive gear isn't needed to create an artificial environment. But
the work is delicate, with just the right amount of cobalt oxide and
gold needing to be formed exactly where it belongs.

In 2003, Belcher cofounded a company called Cambrios Technologies, in
Mountain View, Calif., which aims to commercialize biological
technologies. Cambrios holds "exclusive license rights to Dr.
Belcher's technology," according to its website.

jimstevens...

Sounds like it will take really good eyes and really small whip and
chair!

Sir Frederick...

Thanks for a good laugh!